March 2018

Release Date: April 6, 2018

Prepared by Analysts of the National Estimates Branch

Current Employment Statistics Survey

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

202-691-6555

Email CES

Contents

Summary

Mining & Logging

Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities

Information

Financial Activities

Professional & Business Services

Private Education & Health Services

Leisure & Hospitality

Other Services

Government

Current Employment Statistics Highlights

Detailed Industry Employment Analysis

Current Employment Statistics

Highlights
Current Employment Statistics Summary, March 2018

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018

+22,000 Manufacturing 

 Durable goods accounted for essentially all 

of the 22,000 jobs added in manufacturing in 

March. Fabricated metal products added 9,000 

jobs. Over the year, manufacturers have 

added 232,000 payroll jobs, mostly in durable 

goods industries (+180,000).

+8,000 Mining and Logging 

 Mining continued to add jobs in March 

(+9,000). Since an employment trough in 

October 2016, the industry has added 78,000 

jobs. Support activities for mining accounted 

for most of the gains in March (+6,000) and 

since the trough (+79,000).

 Nonfarm payroll employment edged up in 

March (+103,000) following a gain of 326,000 

in February. So far this year, employment has 

risen by an average +202,000 per month, 

compared to an average +182,000 per month 

in 2017. In March, health care, manufacturing, 

and mining added jobs. 

 The employment change for January 

revised down from +239,000 to +176,000, and 

the change for February revised up from 

+313,000 to +326,000. On net, employment 

over these months is 50,000 lower than 

previously reported.

 Average hourly earnings of all employees 

on private, nonfarm payrolls rose by 8 cents, 

or 0.3 percent, over the month. Hourly 

earnings are up 2.7 percent over the year. 

Average weekly hours, at 34.5 hours, were 

unchanged in March. 

+25,000 Education and Health Services 

 Employment rose by 22,000 in health care 

in March, including a gain of 10,000 in 

hospitals. Employment in health care has 

risen by 304,000 over the year, slightly less 

than the 333,000 jobs added over the prior 12 

months.

211

267

78

282

326

191

256

164

88

351

264

234

103

257

235

174

34

285

325

175

264

140

172

180

259

200

73

175

155

239

190

221

14

271

216

175 176

326

103

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Jan-15 Jul-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Jan-18

Over-the-month change Annual average

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, April 06, 2018.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, January 2015–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Employment in total nonfarm

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government
CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018

+33,000 Professional and Business Services 

 Employment continued to trend upward in 

professional and business services. Over the 

year, the industry has added one-half million 

jobs distributed across most of the component

industries.

+11,000 Wholesale Trade 

 Employment trended up in wholesale trade. 

Over the year, employment has increased by 

86,000, with durable goods accounting for 

59,000 of the growth.

+10,000 Transportation and Warehousing

 In March, employment continued to trend 

up in transportation and warehousing. Over 

the year, the industry has added 150,000 jobs, 

including gains of 60,000 in couriers and 

35,000 in warehousing.

-15,000 Construction

 Construction employment changed little 

over the month, following a strong gain in 

February (+65,000). During the first quarter of 

2018, employment in the industry changed by 

an average +26,000 per month, compared to 

+34,000 per month in the fourth quarter of 

2017.

1

-1

5

25

33

2

2

4

10

-4

11

22

-15

8

-40 -20 0 20 40 60

Government

Other services

Leisure and hospitality

Education and health services

Professional and business services

Financial activities

Information

Utilities*

Transportation and warehousing

Retail trade

Wholesale trade

Manufacturing*

Construction

Mining and logging*

Employment in total nonfarm

March 2018 Prior 12-month average

Over-the-month change, March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Total nonfarm:

103

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

Current Employment Statistics Survey Summary, March 2018

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government
 Employment in mining grew by 9,000 in 

March. Support activities for mining had a 

significant contribution of 6,000 jobs. 

Mining employment has followed trends 

similar to domestic oil rigs, up 1.5 percent 

in March, and in the price of West Texas 

Intermediate oil, up 3.3 percent in March.

Mining and Logging 

Summary Mining &

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018
 Construction employment changed little in 

March (-15,000) after rising by 65,000 in 

February. Employment edged down in 

specialty trade contractors (-16,000), which 

was split between residential (-9,000) and 

nonresidential (-7,000) specialty trade 

contractors. These declines in March follow 

declines in construction-related indicators. 

From January to February, building permits

fell by 5.7 percent, new home sales fell by 0.6 

percent, and housing starts fell by 7 percent.

4,500

5,000

5,500

6,000

6,500

7,000

7,500

8,000

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in construction

March 2018 Level: 7,150

OTM Change: -15 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Construction

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018
 Manufacturing employment increased by 22,000 in March. So far this 

year, manufacturing industries have added 74,000 jobs.

 Most of the monthly job gain occurred in fabricated metal products 

(+9,000) and transportation equipment (+5,000). 

 

 Employment in fabricated metal products increased in March (+9,000). 

Among manufacturing industries, fabricated metals has experienced the 

largest job gain over the past 12 months (+59,000), and accounts for 

roughly one-third of all jobs added in durable goods manufacturing.

 

5 5

12

5

18

4

15

-9

-1

13

-4

6

24

-17

-19

6

-18

21

14

-24

-7

-3

2

12

18

21

10 10

4

14

-4

39

6

20

30

39

20

32

22

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

Jan-15 Jul-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Jan-18

Over-the-month change Annual average

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, April 06, 2018. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, January 2015–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Employment in manufacturing

1,150

1,200

1,250

1,300

1,350

1,400

1,450

1,500

1,550

1,600

1,650

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in fabricated metal products

March 2018 Level: 1,477

OTM Change: 9*

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Manufacturing

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government
 Employment in wholesale trade edged up by 11,000 in 

March. This uptick in employment brings the industry’s 12-

month gain to +86,000, more than three times as large as the 

employment gain during the previous 12 months. Over the last 

year, just over two-thirds of the job gains occurred in durable 

goods (+59,000), coinciding with gains in durable goods 

manufacturing employment over the time span.

 

 

5,200

5,400

5,600

5,800

6,000

6,200

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in wholesale trade

March 2018 Level: 5,967

OTM Change: 11 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Wholesale Trade

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade:

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018
 Employment in retail trade was about unchanged in March 

(-4,000), after increasing by 59,000 during the first 2 months of 

2018. Industry employment has shown little net change since 

January 2017. 

 In general merchandise stores, employment decreased by 

13,000, offsetting a February increase. Job losses occurred in both 

department stores (-8,000) and general merchandise stores, 

including warehouse clubs and supercenters (-5,000). 

 Employment changed little in building materials and garden 

supply stores in March; however, it has grown by 47,000 over the 

past year. Employment in all other retail trade component 

industries was also little changed in March.

 

13,800

14,000

14,200

14,400

14,600

14,800

15,000

15,200

15,400

15,600

15,800

16,000

16,200

16,400

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in retail trade

March 2018 Level: 15,916

OTM Change: -4

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

4

4

-13

1

-7

0

2

-3

2

2

2

2

-18 -16 -14 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8

Nonstore retailers

Miscellaneous store retailers

General merchandise stores*

Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores

Clothing and clothing accessories stores

Gasoline stations

Health and personal care stores

Food and beverage stores

Building material and garden supply stores

Electronics and appliance stores

Furniture and home furnishings stores

Motor vehicle and parts dealers

Employment in retail trade

March 2018 Prior 12-month average

Over-the-month change, March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Retail trade:

-4

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

Retail Trade

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade:

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government
 Employment in transportation and warehousing changed little in March 

(+10,000). Among the components, employment continued to trend up in 

truck transportation (+7,000) and in couriers and messengers (+6,000).

 

 Job growth in truck transportation has shifted into high gear averaging 

6,000 per month in 2018. Between January 2015 and December 2017, 

employment in truck transportation had changed little (+16,000).

 

23

8

14

10

20

26

22

12

7

-8

22

26

-13

5

18 18

13

3

21

32

-4

11

18

27

0

14 14

3

20

7

4

12

25

14

12

9

15

18

10

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Jan-15 Jul-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Jan-18

Over-the-month change Annual average

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, April 06, 2018. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, January 2015–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Employment in transportation and warehousing

1,200

1,250

1,300

1,350

1,400

1,450

1,500

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in truck transportation

March 2018 Level: 1,479

OTM Change: 7

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Transportation and Warehousing

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government
 Utilities employment edged up by 

4,000 from February to March, but has 

shown little net change over the year 

(+3,000).

542

544

546

548

550

552

554

556

558

560

562

564

566

568

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in utilities

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Utilities

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018
 Information employment was 

essentially flat in March (+2,000). Since an 

employment peak in October 2016, the 

industry has lost 59,000 jobs, primarily in 

motion picture and sound recording 

industries (-42,000) and in 

telecommunications (-29,000).

2,500

2,600

2,700

2,800

2,900

3,000

3,100

3,200

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in information

March 2018 Level: 2,760

OTM Change: 2

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Information

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018
 Employment in financial activities changed little 

(+2,000) in March, following a February gain of 

30,000. Employment in credit intermediation edged 

down (-6,000), just about offsetting the industry’s 

February job gain. Small employment changes were 

spread throughout the remaining component 

industries.

 Since reaching an employment trough in February 

2011, financial activities has added 870,000 jobs—a 

gain of 11 percent. 

Financial Activities

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018

7,400

7,600

7,800

8,000

8,200

8,400

8,600

8,800

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in financial activities

March 2018 Level: 8,546

OTM Change: 2 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
 Employment in professional and business services edged up by 33,000 in 

March. So far in 2018, the industry has added 126,000 jobs. 

 In March, employment in professional and technical services continued to 

trend upward (+19,000), in line with recent average changes. Accounting 

and bookkeeping services (+10,000), computer systems design and related 

services (+5,000), and advertising and related services (+4,000) accounted for 

the change.

 Administrative and waste services experienced little employment change 

in March (+12,000). Weakness in the industry can be attributed to no change

in temporary help services employment (-1,000).

 

21

53

23

52

72

63

31 32

20

74

44

57

-13

23

27

42

-1

42

53

10

81

21

36

6

27

19

36

50

57

40

53

42

27

60

16

31

38

55

33

-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

Jan-15 Jul-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Jan-18

Employment in Professional and business services

Over-the-month change Annual average

Over-the-month change, January 2015–March 2018

Seasaonally adjusted, in thousands

Mar-18: 33

Prior-12: 42

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018 Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

12

2

19

0 5 10 15 20 25

Administrative and waste

services

Management of companies

and enterprises

Professional and technical

services

Employment in Professional and business services component industries

Over-the-month change Prior-3 mo. Avg. Prior-6 mo. Avg Prior-12 mo. Avg

Over-the-month change and prior averages, March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018

Data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

Professional and Business Services
 Employment in health care continued to trend up in March (+22,000). 

Growth in health care has been fairly consistent, rising by about 25,000 per

month over the past year. 

 

 

 In March, hospitals added 10,000 jobs, a number similar to each of the 2 

prior months. Hospitals have added 91,000 jobs over the past 12 months, 

for a gain of 1.8 percent

 In ambulatory health care services, employment continued to trend up 

(+16,000) at roughly the same pace as its prior 12-month average monthly 

change. The main ambulatory component industries also continued their 

upward employment trends. 

 

37

26

22

40 40

27

33

35

27

45

21

27

30

34

25

37

35

33

35

20

29 29

25

40

11

26

14

26

19

36

38

18

21

23

20

32

21

27

22

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Jan-15 Jul-15 Jan-16 Jul-16 Jan-17 Jul-17 Jan-18

Over-the-month change Annual average

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, April 06, 2018. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, January 2015–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Employment in health care

-4

10

3

4

4

16

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25

Nursing and residential care*

Hospitals*

 - Home health care services

 - Outpatient care centers

 - Offices of physicians

Ambulatory health care services1

Employment in selected health care industries

March 2018 Prior 12-month average

Over-the-month change, March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Health care 

industries:

22

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Data are preliminary.

1 Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

* denotes significance

Private Education and Health Services

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government
 Employment in food services and drinking 

places was unchanged over the month, falling 

well below its prior 12-month average 

change. The weakness in March coincides 

with a decline in the Consumer Confidence 

Index.

0

4

0

-5 0 5 10 15 20 25

Food services and drinking places

Accommodation

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Employment in leisure and hospitality

March 2018 Prior 12-month average

Over-the-month change, March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Leisure and 

hospitality:

5

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

Leisure and Hospitality

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services

Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018
 Employment in other services 

changed little in March (-1,000). Over 

the most recent 12 months, however, 

the industry has added 88,000 jobs, a 

change of 1.5 percent. Personal and 

laundry services accounted for about 

half of the jobs gained over this period.

5,100

5,200

5,300

5,400

5,500

5,600

5,700

5,800

5,900

6,000

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in other services

March 2018 Level: 5,830

OTM Change: -1 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Other Services

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018
 Employment in government was 

essentially unchanged in March (+1,000). 

The number of jobs in government is 

largely unchanged since September 

2016. 

21,400

21,600

21,800

22,000

22,200

22,400

22,600

22,800

23,000

23,200

23,400

Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12 Jan-14 Jan-16 Jan-18

Employment in government

March 2018 Level: 22,326

OTM Change: 1

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, April 06, 2018.

Shaded area represents recession as denoted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

* denotes significance

January 2008–March 2018

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Government

Summary Mining & 

Logging Construction Manufacturing

Trade: 

Wholesale

Retail

Transp., 

Warehousing

& Utilities

Information Financial

Activities

Professional

& Business

Services

Private

Education

& Health

Services

Leisure & 

Hospitality

Other

Services Government

CES Highlights Release Date: April 6, 2018
Prepared by Staff of the National Estimates Branch

Current Employment Statistics Survey

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

202-691-6555

Email CES

CES Analysts

Michael Calvillo

Wander Cedeño

Steve Crestol

Tyler Downing

Brittney Forbes

Mike McCall

John Mullins

Michael Osifalujo

Edward Park

Current Employment Statistics Highlights

Detailed Industry Employment Analysis