Private Sector Adds 62,000 Jobs; Pay Up 4.5% in March
ADP’s March report shows private-sector employers added 62,000 jobs, led by a 58,000 gain in education and health services and a 30,000 rise in goods-producing roles. Annual pay for job-stayers rose 4.5%, while pay gains for job-changers accelerated to 6.6% year-over-year.
1. Overall March Employment Growth
Private-sector employers added 62,000 jobs in March, with the February figure revised higher from 63,000 to 66,000. Growth was split between goods-producing roles (+30,000) and service-providing roles (+32,000).
2. Industry Performance
Education and health services led hiring with 58,000 new positions, while trade, transportation and utilities shed 58,000 jobs. Construction added 30,000 roles as manufacturing declined by 11,000.
3. Pay Growth Trends
Annual pay for job-stayers climbed 4.5%, marking three months of steady gains, while job-changers saw 6.6% year-over-year increases. Pay growth was strongest at large firms (4.9%) and varied across industries.
4. Regional and Firm-Size Dynamics
Southern states accounted for 101,000 of the new jobs; the Northeast lost 29,000, the Midwest 26,000 and the West gained 16,000. Small establishments (1–19 employees) drove hiring with 112,000 additions, while medium and large firms saw net declines.