In November, the number of jobs outside the agricultural sector increased by 227,000. This was slightly more than the economists' average forecast of 220,000 jobs. In October, a more modest 36,000 jobs were added, according to revised figures.
Unemployment rose to 4.2 percent, compared to 4.1 percent in October.
The reaction was falling bond yields and slightly rising stock prices. In the financial markets, it is still expected that the US Federal Reserve will lower interest rates on December 18. The probability of this is 82 percent, according to market pricing.
