WASHINGTON - The pace of hiring in the U.S. slowed sharply in February as the economy added just 20,000 new jobs, marking the smallest increase in 17 months.
The number of new nonfarm jobs created last month was well below the 172,000 MarketWatch forecast, but the slowdown was probably exaggerated by seasonal oddities that are unlikely to persist. The U.S. has been adding more than 200,000 new jobs a month for the past year. The jobless rate fell to 3.8% in February from 4%, mostly because fewer people said they were unemployed. The average wage paid to American workers, meanwhile, rose 11 cents, or 0.4%, to $27.66 an hour.
See Full Story U.S. adds meager 20,000 jobs in February to mark smallest increase in 17 months American businesses and other employers created the fewest new jobs in February in 17 months, the latest sign of a broader slowdown in the U.S. economy. The economy added just 20,000 new jobs last month, but in some good news, unemployment fell and wages rose sharply.
Have breaking news sent to your inbox. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Bulletin emails. Sign up here.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China's exports fall more than 20% in February; overall trade data come in much weakerChina on Friday reported worse than expected trade data for the month of February, customs data showed amid Beijing's trade dispute with the U.S.
Read more »
China's February trade data come in much weaker than expected; exports fall more than 20%China on Friday reported worse than expected trade data for the month of February, customs data showed amid Beijing's trade dispute with the U.S.
Read more »
Mixed News About What Will Kill Us 20 Years From NowA massive study, published in October in The Lancet, projects figures for nearly all causes of death in 2040. Clearly, where you live has a huge impact on what’s likely to kill or ail you, and when.
Read more »
NASA Says Earth Is Greener Today Than 20 Years Ago Thanks To China, IndiaNASA has some good news, the world is a greener place today than it was 20 years ago. What prompted the change? Well, it appears China and India can take the majority of the credit.
Read more »
NASA Says Earth Is Greener Today Than 20 Years Ago Thanks To China, IndiaNASA has some good news, the world is a greener place today than it was 20 years ago. What prompted the change? Well, it appears China and India can take the majority of the credit.
Read more »
20 Business Magnates Share The Wisdom They Learned From Their FathersWarren Buffett: 'My first hero was my dad'
Read more »
UN says heavy rains, floods kill 20 in southern AfghanistanKABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A U.N. humanitarian agency says at least 20 people died as heavy rains and flooding over the past few days swept away their homes and cars in Afghanistan's southern...
Read more »