WASHINGTON—The manufacturing sector boosted U.S. employment by 38,000 jobs in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last Friday. Durable goods industries increased by 22,000 jobs and non-durable goods industries by 16,000.
On the durable goods side, the increase was paced by transportation equipment, up 10,800 jobs. That included a gain of 6,400 jobs in motor vehicles and parts. Other industries showing job increases included fabricated metal products (up 3,700 jobs), miscellaneous manufacturing (up 2,300), furniture (up 2,200) and machinery (up 1,700). Industries with job losses included non-metallic mineral products (down 4,500 jobs) and primary metals (down 700).