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The US economy added 155,000 new jobs in December and the unemployment rate remained steady at 7.8 percent, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Friday.
November's unemployment rate was also revised higher, from an initially reported 7.7 percent. Robust hiring in manufacturing and construction fueled the gains last month.
According to the report, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was essentially unchanged at 4.8 million and accounted for 39.1 percent of the unemployed.
In December, construction added 30,000 jobs, the most in 15 months. That likely reflects additional hiring needed to rebuild after Super Storm Sandy. And employment in food services and drinking places rose by 38,000. In 2012, the industry added an average of 24,000 jobs a month, essentially the same as in 2011. Manufacturing employment also rose by 25,000, with small gains in a number of component industries. In 2012, factory employment increased by 180,000; most of the growth occurred during the first quarter.
You can view the full report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics by clicking here: December Jobs Report.
