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U.S. employers added fewer jobs in December than forecast, while the jobless rate fell below 4% and wages jumped, adding to evidence of a tight labor market that’s expected to help spur Federal Reserve interest rate liftoff as soon as March.

A gauge of employment in U.S. service industries pointed to job losses for the first time in almost a decade, adding to signs of a cooling labor market.

U.S. employment costs held up at a steady pace in the first quarter as wages firmed, signaling some buildup of inflationary pressures that could still spur pickups in otherwise-muted price gauges.

WASHINGTON — The final major economic report before the Nov. 6 congressional elections showed that U.S. employers added a stellar 250,000 jobs in October and raised average pay by the most in nearly a decade.

Companies in October added the highest number of workers in eight months to U.S. payrolls, topping estimates and signaling the job market remains solid, according to data released Oct. 31 from the ADP Research Institute in Roseland, N.J.

The U.S. labor market still is signaling progress even with an increase in filings for unemployment benefits the week of June 19.

U.S. employment costs climbed less in the fourth quarter than forecast, reflecting steady wage growth and the smallest advance in benefits in more than a year.

Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits fell for a third week in the past four, showing a resilient labor market.

For-hire trucking added 3,400 jobs in August, and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.9% as total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 151,000 in August, the Labor Department reported Sept. 2.

For-hire trucking gained 1,700 jobs in July, and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.9%, the Labor Department reported Aug 5.