The February gain marked a sharp pickup from the 166,000 jobs that were added in January and the loss of 306,000 in December.
Bars and restaurants, in particular, snapped back, adding 286,000 jobs as business restrictions eased in California and other states.
AdAlso hiring last month were retailers, which added 41,000 jobs, health care companies, with 46,000, and manufacturers, with 21,000.
But state and local governments have slashed 1.4 million jobs since the pandemic erupted, including 86,000 last month, and most have instituted hiring freezes.
The Congressional Budget Office projects the nation will add a substantial 6.2 million jobs this year.