That’s the lowest unemployment rate since December 2008.
At the same time, the report cautioned that the job numbers are mixed. February’s originally estimated gain of 4,000 jobs was revised upward to 5,500 – only to have all the gains erased in March, with an estimated loss of 5,500 jobs.
“We’ve seen a lot of volatility in the job-survey results, but the trend over the past year shows we’re gaining jobs,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, a labor economist with ESD, in a press release. “The unemployment-rate survey has been more stable, showing a slow but steady drop in the unemployment rate.”
According to the report, industries with the most estimated job gains in March were education and health services, manufacturing, retail, construction and wholesale trade.
Industries showing the most job losses last month included government, professional and business services and financial activities.