Payrolls Rise by 211,000 in March; Unemployment Falls to 4.7%

.S. payrolls rose 211,000 in March and the unemployment rate fell to 4.7% from 4.8% the previous month, the Labor Department said Friday.

The jobs gain exceeded of analysts’ forecasts 190,000, Bloomberg reported. It followed a 225,000 rise in February.

The transportation and warehousing sector shed 7,600 positions, Labor said.

Labor's unemployment-rate gauge is based on a survey of households. The number of payroll jobs added is determined by a separate survey of business and government establishments.

Because employment levels drive so much economic activity, an increase in employment can help consumer confidence and spending patterns, which affect trucking demand.

Manufacturing employment fell by 5,000 jobs after a 10,000 drop in February and the manufacturing workweek held at 41 hours.

ervice-industry employment, which includes retailers, banks and government agencies, rose by 202,000 following a 194,000 gain in February.

Construction employment rose by 7,000 following a 37,000 gain in February.