WASHINGTON (April 5, 2013) — Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 88,000 jobs in March, and the U.S. unemployment rate inched down 0.1 percent to 7.6 percent, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Professional and business services saw the biggest job increase during the month, with 51,000, the BLS said. Other areas that saw strong growth included healthcare (up 23,000), construction (up 18,000) and food services and drinking places (up 13,000).
However, retail trade employment fell by 24,000, with the biggest decreases in clothing, building material/garden supply and electronics/appliance stories. Manufacturing also trended down, losing 3,000 jobs.
"I believe we can see a resurgence in manufacturing job growth, but only with the right public policies," said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing. "The myopic focus of Congress on our fiscal position is backfiring already."
"This morning's manufacturing jobs data, which showed the first monthly decline since September, should remind President Obama that American domestic industry remains painfully far from achieving the renaissance he keeps boasting about," said Alan Tonelson, research fellow with the U.S. Business and Industry Council.
"Once again, our bifurcated economy may have large firms doing well, but the Main Street owners are not sharing in the gains and find little reason to take on new employees," said William C. Dunkelberg, chief economist for the National Federation of Independent Business. "Owners are still pessimistic and see little reason to hire."