Payroll growth rises 132,000 in November [View All]

Hiring in the U.S. continued at a steady, strong pace in November, easing worries that the economy is weakening precipitously.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 132,000 in November, based on a survey of business establishments, the Labor Department reported Friday.

The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.5% from 4.4% in October, which was a five-year low, according to a separate household survey. Read full government survey.

The gain in payrolls was higher than expected. Economists were forecasting an average gain of 112,000 in November, according to a survey conducted by MarketWatch. See Economic Calendar. The rise in the unemployment rate was in line with expectations.