U.S. report to show strong job creation in private sector, economists say

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Economists expect to see another solid U.S. jobs report Friday, but there's a long way to go before unemployment drops to a more comfortable level for the Federal Reserve.

The Labor Department report is expected to show between about 170,000 and 250,000 jobs were created in the United States in March, compared to February's 236,600.

"We expect a 220,000 increase, somewhat less than in February (236,000) though marking the fourth month of the past five above 200,000 – that's roughly the dividing line between moderate and healthy growth," said senior economist Sal Guatieri of BMO Nesbitt Burns.

The employment report is among the most important of U.S. indicators at this point, not least because the U.S. central bank's policy-setting panel, the Federal Open Market Committee, has said it won't raise interest rates until the jobless rate eases to 6.5 per cent.

It stood in February at 7.7 per cent – its lowest in five years, but still high – and it's believed to have remained there last month.

"Besides the jobless rate, the Fed will have a keen eye on the employment-to-population ratio," Mr. Guatieri said.

"It likely needs to bounce from three-decade lows before the FOMC sees substantial improvement in the labour market outlook and begins tapering QE3," he added, referring to the central bank's third round of quantitative easing.

Also to be carefully watched on Friday: the contrast between the private sector and the public sector. The latter has been hit by cutbacks.

Toronto-Dominion Bank economists, who believe 195,000 jobs were created in March, expect the report to show the private sector created 205,000 jobs, while the public sector slashed 10,000.

"In the coming months, we expect the labour market momentum to slow modestly, reflecting the overall slowdown in economic growth performance," TD said, suggesting it will be some time yet before unemployment falls to the Fed's 6.5-per-cent mark.

Andrew Grantham, of CIBC World Markets, expects to see job gains in the retail and construction industries.

"Retailers, surprised by the resilience of consumer spending so far, may have upped hiring, while the recovery in housing should continue to benefit employment in the construction sector," he said.