Unexpected Growth in Private Sector Employment

In a remarkable turn of events, the United States private sector added 155,000 jobs in March, as reported by Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) on Wednesday. This figure not only highlights a robust job market but also exceeds market expectations significantly.

Job Additions Across Different Sectors

Large establishments with over 500 employees led the charge by adding 59,000 jobs, closely followed by small-sized businesses (1-19 workers) which contributed 42,000 new positions. The service-producing sector was a major driver of this growth, adding 132,000 jobs, while the goods sector saw a modest increase of 24,000 jobs.

Wage Growth Trends

Annual pay saw a healthy rise, with a 4.6% increase for job stayers and a more significant 6.5% for those who switched jobs. This data underscores the dynamic nature of the current job market.

Expert Commentary

"Despite facing policy uncertainties and a cautious consumer base, the March employment figures present a positive outlook for the economy and employers across the board," remarked Chief Economist Nela Richardson.