Private Sector employment (1,447,800 jobs) in the state was unchanged in March 2016 but has increased by 16,400 jobs (1.15%, about 1,367 jobs per month) over the year. The Government supersector for March added 300 jobs (0.13%, 237,800 jobs) but has declined by -1,400 (-0.59%) since March 2015.

Six of the ten major industry supersectors added jobs in March 2016 and four declined, seasonally adjusted. The biggest job gaining supersector in March was Trade, Transportation & Utilities (1,300, 0.4%, 299,800 jobs). The transportation and utility components (900, 1.8%, 52,400 jobs) were the strongest mover in that supersector last month and have been very robust over the year (3,400, 6.9%). Low energy prices may have a role here.

The Leisure and Hospitality (500, 0.3%, 155,500 jobs) supersector continued solid employment gains as well with restaurants and hotels (600, 0.5%, 126,500) adding positions last month. This supersector also leads in annualized job growth (4,600, 3.1%). March gains of 300 jobs each came from the Government supersector (300, 0.1%, 237,800 jobs) and the Professional and Business Servicessupersector (300, 0.1%, 216,900).

Smaller gains of a hundred each also were posted by the Information industry supersector (100, 0.3%, 33,700) and the Education and Health Services (100, 0.03%, 329,200 jobs) supersector. The small Information industry supersector (1,400, 4.3%) now leads all ten industry supersectors in percentage growth over the year.

The four declining industry supersectors in March 2016 were highlighted by an unexpected decline in Construction and Mining (-1,100, -1.9%, 57,500 jobs). This seemed to be a bigger decline than expected considering the warm weather. The supersector is now slightly lower over the year (-100, -0.2%). The Other Services (-900, -1.4%, 64,700) supersector was the next largest decliner. Minor job losses also emanated from the Manufacturing (-200, -0.1%, 159,700) and Financial Activities (-100, -0.1%, 130,800) industry supersectors.