March Private Sector Hiring Tops Views, ADP Data Show Ahead of Key Jobs Report

10:27 AM EDT, 04/01/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Employment in the US private sector increased more than projected in March, ADP (ADP) said Wednesday, ahead of official data that are likely to show a rebound in payrolls.

Private jobs rose by 62,000 last month, exceeding the consensus forecast for a 40,000 increase in a Bloomberg-compiled survey. The number of jobs added in February was revised to 66,000 from 63,000, ADP said.

"Overall hiring is steady, but job growth continues to favor certain industries, including health care," ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson said.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics are expected to show Friday that the US economy added 65,000 nonfarm jobs last month, following a reduction of 92,000 in February, according to a Bloomberg-compiled survey. The unemployment rate is seen unchanged at 4.4%.

The US equity market will be closed that day for the Good Friday holiday.

On Tuesday, official data showed US job openings dropped more than projected in February, while the hiring rate reached its lowest reading since April 2020.

The services sector added 32,000 jobs in March, ADP data showed. A 58,000 jump in education and health services was offset by an equal decline in the trade, transportation, and utilities group.

The goods-producing industry saw an increase of 30,000 jobs, weighed down by declines in manufacturing, according to ADP data.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has fueled inflationary pressures and disrupted supply chains.

"War in the Middle East has stirred up worries over an energy-price shock tipping the economy into a downturn and undermining market performance," Wells Fargo Investment Institute said in a report sent on Wednesday. "However, we believe the US economy is better positioned to contend with economic disruptions from war with Iran compared to past oil shocks due to mitigating factors that have not previously been present to this degree."

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.