Nonfarm payrolls rose by a net 252,000 in December, averaging 246,000 per month in 2014—the strongest year of job growth in 15 years. Job gains were widespread, led by growth in goods-producing (up 67,000, with 48,000 from construction and 17,000 from manufacturing), professional and business services (up 52,000), and education and health services (up 48,000, with 34,000 from health care) sectors. The leisure and hospitality sector was up 36,000 jobs, with food services and drinking places adding 44,000 payrolls and arts, entertainment, and recreation subtracting 7,400 payrolls.
Revisions to the previous two months' estimates added 50,000 jobs on net. October was revised up from a gain of 243,000 payrolls to a gain of 261,000, and November was revised up from a gain of 321,000 to 353,000.
