The unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percent to 9.0 percent in January, with nonfarm payroll employment increasing by 36,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Healthcare continued to trend up, adding 11,000 jobs during the month. Over the prior 12 months, healthcare added an average of 22,000 jobs per month.
Ambulatory healthcare services added 8,000 positions, hospitals added 700 jobs while nursing and residential care facilities added 1,900.
Other industries seeing notable gains included manufacturing, durable goods and employment in retail trade. Declines were seen in construction, transportation and warehousing and a small drop was seen in temporary help services.
Read the BLS report about January employment.