This is good news for the cattle and beef industries since most unemployed people eat less beef.

The U.S. labor market staged a major comeback in March 2026, adding 178,000 jobs - nearly triple the 60,000 analysts expected.

Key Labor Market Data (March 2026)

  • Nonfarm Payrolls: +178,000 (Expected: ~60,000).
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.3% (Previous: 4.4%).
  • Average Hourly Earnings: +0.2% monthly; +3.5% year-over-year.
  • Labor Force Participation: Edged lower to 4.3% as the workforce slightly shrank.

Sector Highlights

  • Healthcare: Added 76,000 jobs, largely driven by 35,000 workers returning from a strike in doctors' offices.
  • Construction: Grew by 26,000 jobs.
  • Transportation & Warehousing: Added 21,000 jobs, though remains down 139,000 since its February 2025 peak.
  • Government: Declined by 8,000 total jobs; the federal sector cut 18,000 positions.
  • Financial Activities: Edged down by 15,000. 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics