In March, private sector employment surged by 184,000 jobs, accompanied by a significant 5.1% year-to-year increase in annual pay, as reported by the March ADP National Employment Report.

“March was surprising not just for the pay gains, but the sectors that recorded them. The three biggest increases for job-changers were in construction, financial services, and manufacturing,” said Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP. “Inflation has been cooling, but our data shows pay is heating up in both goods and services.”