U.S. Adds 130,000 Jobs in January, Starting Year off on Stronger Footing

The U.S. added 130,000 jobs in January, surging past expectations and marking a strong start to the year following a weak year of job growth.

The [January numbers](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm) from the Labor Department were above the seasonally adjusted 48,000 jobs added in December, which were revised slightly lower. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal were expecting 55,000 jobs in January.