Private sector employment across the United States increased by 62,000 jobs in March 2026 while annual pay for job stayers rose 4.5 percent according to the ADP National Employment Report released April 1.
The report produced by ADP Research in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab draws from anonymized payroll data of more than 26 million private sector employees. It provides a high frequency snapshot of hiring and wage trends. February job gains were revised upward from 63,000 to 66,000.
Dr. Nela Richardson chief economist at ADP described the labor market as steady with growth concentrated in specific sectors. “Overall hiring is steady but job growth continues to favor certain industries including health care” she said. “In March this solid performance was accompanied by a boost in pay gains for job changers.”
Job gains in March split between goods producing industries that added 30,000 positions and service providing sectors that added 32,000. Within goods producing natural resources and mining rose by 11,000 construction increased by 30,000 and manufacturing declined by 11,000. In services education and health services led with 58,000 new jobs while trade transportation and utilities lost 58,000. Information added 16,000 financial activities gained 4,000 professional and business services added 1,000 leisure and hospitality rose by 7,000 and other services increased by 4,000.
Small establishments drove most of the growth. Employers with one to 19 employees added 112,000 jobs while those with 20 to 49 lost 27,000. Medium sized firms saw a net loss of 20,000 and large establishments with 500 or more employees lost 4,000.
Regionally the South led with 101,000 new jobs including 30,000 in the South Atlantic 21,000 in the East South Central and 50,000 in the West South Central. The Northeast lost 29,000 the Midwest lost 26,000 and the West gained 16,000. Maryland falls within the Mid Atlantic portion of the Northeast which recorded a loss of 35,000 jobs.
Pay growth held steady. Job stayers saw median annual pay rise 4.5 percent unchanged for the third month. Job changers experienced faster gains at 6.6 percent. By industry in goods producing natural resources and mining rose 4.7 percent construction 4.7 percent and manufacturing 4.9 percent. In services trade transportation and utilities increased 4.5 percent information 3.8 percent financial activities 5.2 percent professional and business services 4.3 percent education and health services 4.3 percent leisure and hospitality 4.6 percent and other services 4.2 percent. Larger firms posted slightly higher pay growth for stayers at 4.9 percent compared with 2.7 percent at the smallest firms.
Southern Maryland residents in Charles St. Mary’s and Calvert counties operate in an economy tied closely to the broader Washington metropolitan area and state trends. Health care education construction and professional services which showed strength nationally align with key local employers including hospitals schools and defense related contractors. The region continues efforts to diversify its workforce through initiatives such as those at the College of Southern Maryland and county economic development offices.
Maryland as a whole has shown resilience in recent years. Earlier data indicated the state added 88,300 jobs from January 2023 to January 2025 outpacing the national growth rate. Local coverage in the Southern Maryland Chronicle has tracked employment shifts including gains in private sector roles amid federal workforce changes in Charles County.
The ADP report arrives as communities in Southern Maryland monitor labor market conditions that affect families seeking stable employment in health care trades and service industries. Small businesses which drove March gains play a vital role in the local economy where many residents own or work for establishments with fewer than 50 employees. Construction strength could support ongoing housing and infrastructure projects in the growing counties.
Pay increases for job changers at 6.6 percent may encourage mobility among Southern Maryland workers looking to advance in competitive fields such as nursing teaching or technical services. At the same time steady 4.5 percent growth for those remaining in positions provides predictability for household budgeting in a region where commuting to the District of Columbia or Annapolis remains common.
The data underscore that while national hiring remains modest and uneven certain defensive sectors continue to expand. Education and health services alone accounted for nearly all net job growth in March highlighting their importance as anchors in both national and local economies. In Southern Maryland these fields offer pathways for residents through programs at local colleges and workforce centers.
Trade transportation and utilities losses nationally reflect challenges that may echo in logistics and retail segments affecting some Southern Maryland employers near major highways and ports. Leisure and hospitality gains though modest could benefit tourism related businesses along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay shores.
Economists view the ADP figures as one indicator ahead of the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The South Atlantic region that includes Maryland contributed positively to the broader Southern gain providing some offset to weakness in the Mid Atlantic.
For Southern Maryland the report signals continued opportunity in health care and construction while reminding residents and employers of the value of ongoing training and adaptability. County leaders in Charles St. Mary’s and Calvert emphasize workforce development to match local talent with available positions.
The April 2026 ADP National Employment Report is scheduled for release May 6 at 8:15 a.m. Eastern Time. Full details and interactive charts from the March report appear at adpemploymentreport.com.
Southern Maryland workers and businesses can use the insights to inform career planning hiring decisions and economic strategies in a labor market that rewards skills in growing sectors. The steady pay growth combined with targeted job gains offers a foundation for continued regional progress even as national trends show concentration in specific industries.
