Statement by Assistant Secretary Julie McClain Downey on March Jobs Report

WASHINGTON – U.S. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Julie McClain Downey issued the following statement on the March 2023 Employment Situation Report:

Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 236,000 jobs in the month of March, and the unemployment rate ticked down to its historic low mark of 3.5 percent. With 12.6 million jobs added since President Biden took office, an average of 345,000 jobs added over the past three months, and more Americans entering the labor force and finding opportunities, this report indicates that the economy is continuing to provide steady, stable job growth that benefits workers and their families.

“Job growth was relatively widespread, with significant gains in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, government, and healthcare – with welcome and ongoing progress in the home healthcare settings, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities that were hit hard by the pandemic.

“This recovery continues to be distinguished by signs of increased equity in our nation’s economic systems. In March the unemployment rate for Black workers fell to a record low of 5.0 percent, and a record low of 4.2 percent for Black women.

“As the President’s Investing in America agenda spurs job growth and reduces costs in communities across the nation, at the Department of Labor we remain focused on ensuring that these opportunities are available to all. Our Good Jobs Initiative is working across the government and the economy to improve job quality and increase equitable access to good jobs through this administration’s historic investments.”