U.S. payrolls rise by by 228,000 in March, but unemployment rate increases to 4.2% By: CNBC.com News April 04, 2025 at 08:31 AM EDT Nonfarm payrolls were expected to grow by 140,000 in March while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. Read More >> Related Stocks: 51job, Inc. - American Depositary Shares, each representing two common shares