Employment in the U.S. oilfield services and equipment sector (OFS) increased by 2,907 jobs in March and reached its highest level in three years, according to an analysis of federal data by the Energy Workforce & Technology Council.

Total OFS jobs climbed to 656,368 last month, a high mark since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic three years earlier. The latest total was also up from February’s adjusted tally of 653,461 OFS jobs. The March increase brought the sector closer to the last pre-pandemic print of 706,528 in February 2020. 

“This is welcome news as our industry is exceeding expectations by meeting spikes in demand and producing close to pre-pandemic levels all while developing new technology and deploying innovative production processes that are lowering...