Construction boom helps fuel job gains in March

Hiring accelerated in the U.S. in March, adding 303,000 jobs, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.8%, staying under 4% for more than two full years. People walk past a Home Depot in San Rafael, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Construction companies helped to hammer together another strong month for the U.S. job market.

The Labor Department reported Friday that construction firms added 39,000 jobs in March — a remarkably strong showing in the face of high interest rates. Hiring was also robust in health care, restaurants and local government. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.8%, even as more than 400,000 people joined or rejoined the workforce.