U.S. Payrolls Rebound In March As Unemployment Ticks Down
Employers added 178,000 jobs in March and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, led by health care and construction gains amid concerns about the Iran war and rising energy prices.
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Boston GlobeUS employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month
Overview
Employers added 178,000 jobs in March, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, the Labor Department reported.
The March rebound followed a revised February payroll loss of 133,000, with analysts saying health care strike returns and weather effects partly drove the turnaround.
Economists said the report reduces immediate pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut rates, while White House officials called the gains evidence of pro-growth policies.
Health care and social assistance added roughly 76,000 to 76,400 jobs, construction added 26,000, transportation and warehousing added 21,000, and federal employment fell by 18,000.
Average hourly earnings rose 0.2% month-to-month and 3.5% year-over-year, and economists warned the Iran war and higher energy prices could curb hiring later.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as cautious optimism: highlighting an unexpected jobs surge while foregrounding monetary-policy and geopolitical risks. Editorial choices — the 'despite Iran war' headline, emphasis on Fed commentary and analysts like Olu Sonola, and hedge words ('too soon', 'delicate balance') — downplay worker perspectives and emphasize macro implications.