Class I employment increase continued in March

Class Is operating in the United States employed 120,668 people in March, a 0.38% increase over February’s employment level and a 4.88% increase year over year, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

Five of six employment categories logged more workers last month than in February. They were: transportation (other than train and engine), up 0.66% to 4,879 people; maintenance of way and structures, up 0.57% to 28,615; executives, officials and staff assistants, up 0.41% to 8,147; transportation (train and engine), up 0.38% to 51,052; and maintenance of equipment and stores, up 0.3% to 17,904.

The professional and administrative category declined 0.15% to 10,071 employees in March compared to the previous month.

Year over year, all employment categories rose in March: executives, officials and staff assistants, 7.79%; transportation (train and engine), 7.03%; transportation (other than train and engine), 3.65%; maintenance of equipment and stores, 3.58%; professional and administrative, 2.89%; and maintenance of way and structures, 2.13%.