The fresh data marks the first jobs report since the election of Trump.
U.S. hiring surged in November, bouncing back from a dismal performance in the previous month and returning to strong growth.
Employers added 227,000 workers last month, exceeding economist expectations of 214,000 additional jobs, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data on Friday showed. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%, which remains historically low.
The fresh data offered a key clue about the health of the economy as the nation hurtles toward end-of-the-year holidays and the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The findings could also help determine whether the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates when officials meet later this month.
U.S. hiring has defied doomsayers for years. Stubborn inflation, high interest rates and a contentious presidential campaign have proven no match for a resilient labor market.
