New York State added 5,600 private sector jobs in March, according to preliminary seasonally adjusted figures released by the Department of Labor, marking a modest 0.1% uptick from February and continuing a positive labor trend into the spring.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also dropped for a second straight month, falling from 4.3% in February to 4.2% in March. The labor force grew by 7,200 people over the same period, while the participation rate held steady at 60.9%.
Although the month-over-month job growth in New York trailed the national pace—where U.S. private sector employment rose by 0.2%—the state kept pace with the nation in overall nonfarm job growth. New York’s total nonfarm jobs increased by 6,300, matching national trends.
Compared to March of the previous year, New York saw an increase of 89,400 private sector jobs, a 1.1% year-over-year gain. That’s slightly below the national growth rate of 1.2%.
Within the state, labor market improvements were uneven. New York City’s unemployment rate dropped from 5.3% to 5.1%, while the rest of the state held steady at 3.6%. The number of unemployed New Yorkers fell by 7,500 to 417,000 in March.
The latest revisions to February’s employment data, however, painted a more sluggish picture than originally reported. The total nonfarm payroll gain was revised down from 5,800 to just 100 jobs. Private sector job estimates for February were also reduced, shifting from a 3,700-job gain to a 600-job loss.
These monthly revisions are based on updated employer reports and recalculated seasonal adjustment factors. They highlight the volatility and complexity of tracking labor market trends in real time.
The private education and health services sector led year-over-year gains, growing by 3.3% statewide.
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