US job gains eased in March for a second straight month, government data showed on Friday, adding to signs that the economy is cooling as policymakers push on in their fight against inflation.

The country added 236,000 jobs in March while the unemployment rate inched down to 3.5 percent, the Labour Department said in a report.

The numbers come days after separate reports showed private hiring and services activity easing as well while the manufacturing sector remained weak.

The labour 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.

Average hourly earnings rose 0.3 percent to US$33.18, according to the data.

"Employment continued to trend up in leisure and hospitality, government, professional and business services, and health care," said the Labour Department.

The report added that the labour force participation rate continued to trend up last month as well. (AFP)