U.S. employers hire below monthly average in March

U.S. employers increased nonfarm payroll employment by 126,000 jobs in March, but the nation’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5 percent.

The hiring data compares to an average 269,000 new positions per month during the prior 12 months, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The nation’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5 percent, according to a news release.

Employment gains were led by professional and business services, retail trade and health care industries, while the mining sector lost jobs last month.

Professional and business services employers created 40,000 jobs last month, with gains in architectural and engineering services, at 4,000 positions, computer systems design and related services, 4,000, and management and technical consulting services, 4,000. During the first quarter, the industry averaged 34,000 jobs per month, below the average monthly gain of 59,000 in 2014, according to the release.

In the retail trade sector, employers increased payrolls by 26,000 positions, the largest of which was 11,000 jobs in general merchandise stores.

Health care sector employment rose by 22,000 jobs in March, with the majority - 19,000 - in ambulatory services. Hospitals also added 8,000 positions, while nursing care facilities lost 6,000 jobs, according to the release.

Offsetting some gains, the mining industry lost 11,000 jobs last month. In 2015, employment has shrunk by 30,000 jobs in the sector. The BLS reports the losses were largely caused by support activities for mining, including oil and gas extraction support positions.