WASHINGTON (March 10, 2017) — Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 235,000 jobs in February, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The unemployment rate remained unchanged from January at 4.7 percent, the March 10 report said.
The employment sectors enjoying the biggest increases were construction (up 58,000 jobs), professional and business services (up 37,000), private educational services (up 29,000), manufacturing (up 28,000) and health care (up 27,000), according to the BLS.
However, retail trade lost 26,000 jobs in February, after gaining 40,000 in January, the report said. Wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, information, financial activities, leisure and hospitality and government were little changed during the month, it said.
Payroll services firm ADP Inc., which compiles its own monthly employment report based on its customers' statistics, gave a much higher figure for February job gains than the government.
According to ADP, nonfarm payroll employment grew by 298,000 jobs in February, according to its report released March 8.
There was good job growth in businesses of all sizes, ADP said. Small businesses (1 to 49 employees) saw growth of 104,000 jobs in February. Medium-sized businesses (50 to 499 employees) increased by 122,000 jobs, and large businesses (500 employees and up) grew by 72,000 jobs.
The goods-producing sector grew by 106,000 jobs, including 66,000 in construction and 32,000 in manufacturing, ADP said. The service-producing sectors added 193,000 jobs.
ADP employment figures don't always equal totals because of rounding, the company said.
In franchise employment, jobs increased by 17,100 in February, including 800 among auto parts and dealers.