The U.S. economy added 216,000 jobs in December, slightly higher than expected, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7%.
The latest figures confirm a surprisingly robust job market despite predictions of a recession last year. Previous month figures, in November and October, were revised down by a total of 71,000 jobs, but they still showed job gains. The December figures also were higher than expectations, as analysts had predicted figures of less than 200,000 in gains.
The figures showed an uptick in jobs in entertainment as the industry recovers from dual strikes. Employment in motion pictures and sound recording climbed by 11,400 jobs to 463,000. After months of declines, industry employment began rising again in November.
The biggest gains during the month were in government, health care, social assistance and construction, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Transportation and warehousing jobs declined.
Average hourly earnings rose by 15 cents, or 0.4%, to $34.27. Those earnings rose by 4.1% during the year.
More to come.
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