Monster Worldwide reported Thursday that online demand in March for jobs grew in 24 of the 28 top U.S. metropolitan markets that it covers.

In an indication that demand for law enforcement and homeland security jobs remains high, those protective service occupations saw job demand increase in all markets covered by Monster during the month.

All 28 markets also recorded growth in food preparation and serving occupations, due to seasonal growth but also due to uninterrupted gains in that industry segment.

"The broad growth in employer demand measured across nearly all of the top cities in the country is another positive sign of U.S. labor strength in the first quarter of 2006," said Steve Pogorzelski, Monster group president, in a statement. "The Monster Index is also showing a greater number of online opportunities within the business and healthcare sectors, which are key indicators of the health of the U.S. economy."

Noting that healthcare support occupations showed continued strength, Monster said recruitment activity in the category increased in 24 of the top 28 metro markets paced by Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, and Indianapolis.

Other sectors enjoying solid growth were business and financial occupations, as well as sales. They rose in 26 markets.