Companies in the private sector added 62,000 jobs in March, payroll processing firm ADP said Wednesday.
The figure is above economists’ estimates of a gain of 40,000 jobs. The prior month's payrolls number was revised higher to a gain of 66,000 from an initially reported gain of 63,000.
"Overall hiring is steady, but job growth continues to favor certain industries, including health care," said ADP chief economist Nela Richardson. "In March, this solid performance was accompanied by a boost in pay gains for job-changers."
Education and health services added 58,000 positions, leading job creation in February. Construction added 19,000, information gained 16,000 and natural resources and mining added 11,000.
Leisure and hospitality added 7,000 jobs, while financial activities and other services each added 4,000. Professional and business services gained 1,000 positions in March.