Economy adds jobs as unemployment remains low

The unemployment rate remained low at 3.8 percent in March as the economy added 303,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. .The unemployment rate has been between 3.7 and 3.9 percent since last August. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 303,000 jobs in March, higher than the average monthly increase of 231,000 over the previous 12 months. .Job gains occurred in health care (72,000), government (71,000) and construction (39,000). Social assistance employment increased by 9,000 jobs in March, less than half of the average monthly gain of 22,000 over the previous 12 months. ."Employment showed little or no change over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil gas extraction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; transportation and warehousing; information; financial activities; and professional and business services," according to BLS. .Other March report findings included:.Average hourly earnings for employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose 12 cents or 0.3 percent to $34.69. Average hourly earnings have risen 4.1 percent over the past 12 months.The unemployment rate for Black Americans increased to 6.4 percent, outpacing the 4.5 percent rate for Hispanics and 2.5 percent rate for Asians. There were 1.2 million long-term unemployed, which was little changed from February. There were 4.3 million people employed part time for economic reasons. The labor force participation rate — 62.7 percent — and the employment-population rate — 60.3 percent — were similar to February.