US economy adds more jobs in November; unemployment rate falls

WASHINGTON (December 8) US nonfarm payrolls increased by a seasonally adjusted 199,000 in November, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. 

The gains surpassed the economist consensus estimate of 185,000, according to Bloomberg, and exceeded the 150,000 jobs created in October. 

In addition, the unemployment rate eased to 3.7%, compared to the forecast for 3.9%, as the labor force participation rate rose to 62.8%. 

The biggest jobs gains came from the healthcare sector (77,000), government (49,000), manufacturing (28,000), and leisure and hospitality (40,000). 

The return to the workforce of striking auto workers and Hollywood actors also helped boost employment figures for the month.  

Average hourly earnings increased by 0.4% for the month and 4% from a year earlier.  

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