Few numbers have been released with as much fanfare and anticipation as last Friday’s Nonfarm Payrolls number. Is it any wonder that the number was pretty good? Are we surprised that economists across the board are hailing the addition of 162,000 jobs in March as definitive evidence that the economic recovery is picking up steam? 

Employment increased at the fastest rate since March 2007. And it wasn’t all Census workers, either. Government hiring accounted for 39,000 workers. That means private companies hired 123,000 people. 

Employment numbers will continue to look good, as Census hiring will continue into June. But we’re going to need to see continued solid growth from private sector employment.