In December, the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage point to 9.4 percent, and nonfarm payroll employment increased by 103,000.  From a recent low point in December 2009, payroll employment has risen by 1.1 million, or an average of 94,000 per month.  In December, employment increased in leisure and hospitality and in health care but was little changed in other major industries.

The leisure and hospitality sector added 47,000 jobs over the month, with continued gains in food services.  Employment also rose in amusements, gambling, and recreation.  Since a recent low point in leisure and hospitality employment in December 2009, the industry has added nearly a quarter of a million jobs.

Health care employment expanded by 36,000 in December and by 266,000 in all of 2010.  Over the month, employment continued to rise in several health-related services, including outpatient care centers, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities.  Employment in temporary help services also continued to trend up in December and has increased by 495,000 since a recent low in September 2009.

Over the month, job growth continued in support activities for mining operations; the industry has added 77,000 jobs since a recent low in October 2009.

Construction employment changed little in December and, on net, has been essentially flat since March.  In contrast, job losses from August 2006 through February 2010 totaled 2.1 million.  In December, retail trade employment was little changed, although job gains in the industry totaled 116,000 for all of 2010.  Over the month, motor vehicle and parts dealers added 8,000 jobs, in line with the trend since July.  December's employment gain among motor vehicle and parts dealers was offset by a loss of 8,000 in health and personal care stores.

Manufacturing employment was little changed over the month. Following modest job growth earlier in 2010, manufacturing employment has been relatively flat, on net, since May.  The factory workweek for all employees was down 0.1 hour in December
but was 1.5 hours above the low point of 38.7 hours in June 2009.