The US economy added more jobs than expected in March, showing a worker shortage continues.
The Labor Department said on Friday that nonfarm payrolls increased by 303,000 from the previous month. The market had forecast around 210,000.
The March unemployment rate edged down 0.1 point to 3.8 percent.
Average hourly wages were up 4.1 percent from a year earlier, and up 0.3 percent from a month ago.
Inflation has been slowing down in the United States. But the latest data indicate that the employment situation in the country remains solid.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has repeatedly said that the central bank was in no hurry to cut interest rates.
The latest jobs data prompted market players to share the view that rates cuts could be more delayed than anticipated.
The US consumer price index for March to be released next week is now drawing attention for further insight into the Fed's monetary policies.