Unemployment rate holds steady at 7.8%

Economy added 155,000 jobs in December

Author: By Tami Luhby
Published On: Jan 30 2013 01:59:43 PM EST   Updated On: Jan 04 2013 09:16:06 AM EST
Job fair, job fair line
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -

The job market ended 2012 with more growth, as moderate hiring continued at the end of the year.

The economy added 155,000 jobs in December, bringing the total number of jobs added in 2012 to 1.84 million, the Labor Department said Friday. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.8 percent.

Economists surveyed by Briefing.com expected the report to show that 150,000 jobs were created last month and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.

Friday's report appeared a day after a separate survey by payroll processor ADP showed private employers boosted their hiring last month, adding 215,000 jobs and beating economists' forecasts of 140,000 positions.

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