Employment rose by 916,000 in March, and the unemployment rate edged down from 6.2% to 6.0%, the U.S. Department of Labor reported. These improvements in the labor market reflect the continued resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Job growth was widespread in March, led by gains in leisure & hospitality, public & private education and construction.

Manufacturing employment rose by 53,000 in March, with job gains occurring in both durable goods (+30,000) and nondurable goods (+23,000). Employment in manufacturing is down by 515,000 since February 2020.