Monthly Jobs Report Shows Strong Growth

Washington, DC, Feb. 6, 2015 -- Employers added 257,000 jobs in January, the Labor Department reported.

In addition, pay increased by the most in six years, although the unemployment rate ticked higher, from 5.6% to 5.7%.

In addition, the government also raised its estimates for both November and December. In November the economy gained 414,000 jobs and December's number was revised to 329,000 from an initially reported 252,000.

Average hourly wages rose $0.12 in January to $24.75, the sharpest gain since 2008.

The number of Americans looking for jobs rose by more than 1 million, which contributed to the increase in the unemployment rate.