U.S. employers expanded payrolls by 216,000 jobs in December, according to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That figure is above analysts’ expectations of between 170,000 and 175,000 jobs.
December’s gains also mark 12 consecutive months of job growth for the U.S. economy in 2023. However, the BLS notes in the December jobs report that employers added 71,000 fewer positions during October and November than previously reported.
The BLS reports that the education and health services industry saw significant payroll expansion last month, with employers adding 74,000 jobs. The government and leisure and hospitality sectors experienced robust gains, as well, adding 52,000 and 40,000 jobs, respectively.
The following industries also reported notable job growth last month, according to the BLS:
Retail trade: 17,400 jobs added
Construction: 17,000 jobs added
Information: 14,000 jobs added
Professional and business services: 13,000 jobs added
Manufacturing: 6,000 jobs added
Wholesale trade: 5,500 jobs added
The December jobs report from the BLS shows that the national unemployment rate was 3.7% last month, unchanged from November. Analysts had projected that the rate would increase slightly.
The unemployment rate for college-degreed workers was 2.1% last month, unchanged from the previous two months. These professionals are the most sought-after workers by employers.
