<p>US job gains eased in March for a second straight month, government data showed Friday, adding to signs that the economy is cooling as policymakers push on in their fight against inflation.</p>.<p>The country added 236,000 jobs in March while the unemployment rate inched down to 3.5 per cent, the Labor Department said in a report.</p>.<p>The numbers come days after separate reports showed private hiring and services activity easing as well while the manufacturing sector remained weak.</p>.<p>The labor market data is closely-watched for its potential impact on future Federal Reserve interest rate decisions -- but it is unclear if the latest figures are enough to translate into a pause in rate increases.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/us-job-growth-beats-expectations-in-february-as-economy-still-hot-1199056.html" target="_blank">US job growth beats expectations in February as economy still hot</a></strong></p>.<p>Average hourly earnings rose 0.3 per cent to $33.18, according to the data.</p>.<p>"Employment continued to trend up in leisure and hospitality, government, professional and business services, and health care," said the Labor Department.</p>.<p>The report added that the labor force participation rate continued to trend up last month as well.</p>
<p>US job gains eased in March for a second straight month, government data showed Friday, adding to signs that the economy is cooling as policymakers push on in their fight against inflation.</p>.<p>The country added 236,000 jobs in March while the unemployment rate inched down to 3.5 per cent, the Labor Department said in a report.</p>.<p>The numbers come days after separate reports showed private hiring and services activity easing as well while the manufacturing sector remained weak.</p>.<p>The labor market data is closely-watched for its potential impact on future Federal Reserve interest rate decisions -- but it is unclear if the latest figures are enough to translate into a pause in rate increases.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/us-job-growth-beats-expectations-in-february-as-economy-still-hot-1199056.html" target="_blank">US job growth beats expectations in February as economy still hot</a></strong></p>.<p>Average hourly earnings rose 0.3 per cent to $33.18, according to the data.</p>.<p>"Employment continued to trend up in leisure and hospitality, government, professional and business services, and health care," said the Labor Department.</p>.<p>The report added that the labor force participation rate continued to trend up last month as well.</p>