Jobs Report Strongest Since Last April

Washington, DC, Feb. 3, 2012 -- Private employers hired the most workers since last April and the nation’s unemployment rate fell to the lowest level in nearly three years, according to the Labor Department.

The U.S. gained 243,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate fell to 8.3% as most sectors of the economy added workers.

The increase in employment was the biggest since last April. The U.S. has added an average of 183,000 jobs a month in the past five months.

Jobs were added last month in manufacturing and construction, professional services, retail, health care, and food and restaurant establishments.

Economists predicted the U.S. would add a seasonally adjusted 121,000 jobs last month, with an unemployment rate of 8.5%.

In December, the increase in payrolls was revised up to 203,000 from an initial report of 200,000. And November payrolls were revised up to 157,000 from 100,000.