February Unemployment Data

The Department of Labor released its February unemployment data today.  The short version:  the unemployment rate is unchanged at 8.3%, but there were an additional 227,000 jobs this past month.  The disparity between the two is due in large part to more people re-entering the workforce as jobs become more available.  Not great for the unemployment number, but a good sign for the economy.  Other good signs from the report: the Dec. and Jan. job gains were revised up by 61,000; government employment declined by only 6,000 (the previous month was 22,000); hourly wages increased some; and there was a big increase in temp jobs, which often lead the way for other job gains.  Still a ways to go, but things still going in the right direction.

-JH