NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- American employers stepped up their hiring in December, bringing the unemployment rate down again.
The economy added 200,000 jobs in the month, the Labor Department reported Friday, closing out the year with 1.6 million jobs gained in 2011.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 8.5%, the lowest level since February 2009.
December jobs report: Hiring up, unemployment rate at 8.5% - Jan. 6, 2012
The economy added 200,000 jobs in the month, the Labor Department reported Friday, closing out the year with 1.6 million jobs gained in 2011.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 8.5%, the lowest level since February 2009.
December jobs report: Hiring up, unemployment rate at 8.5% - Jan. 6, 2012