Builders Add Workers as U.S. Payrolls Rise

Washington, DC, April 5, 2010--Payrolls rose by 162,000 last month while the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent, according to the Labor Department.

Payrolls at builders rose 15,000 last month, the biggest gain since March 2007, after declining 59,000.

The overall payroll increase was less than anticipated and included 48,000 temporary workers hired by the government to conduct the 2010 census, as well as job gains in manufacturing and health services.

The government revised January and February payroll figures up by a combined 62,000, putting the March gain at 224,000 after including the updated data.

Christina Romer, the White House’s chief economist, said the report shows a “gradual labor market healing” that still requires more action to encourage companies to hire.

“While this is the most positive jobs report we have had in three years, there will likely be bumps in the road ahead,” Romer, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said in a statement.

Part of the payroll gain last month likely reflected a rebound from the February blizzards that set seasonal snowfall records in cities including Washington and Philadelphia.

The so-called underemployment rate -- which includes part-time workers who’d prefer a full-time position and people who want work but have given up looking -- increased to 16.9 percent from 16.8 percent.

Factory payrolls increased 17,000 in March after rising 6,000 in the prior month.

Payrolls at builders rose 15,000 last month, the biggest gain since March 2007, after declining 59,000.