Unemployment on the Rise in February

Nonfarm payroll employment slightly decreased in February (-63,000), and the
unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 4.8 percent, the Department of Labor reports. Employment fell in manufacturing, construction, and retail trade. Job growth continued in health care and in food services. Average hourly earnings rose by 5 cents, or 0.3 percent, over the month.

The number of unemployed persons (7.4 million) and the unemployment rate were essentially unchanged in February.