Remember all those worries about job losses piling up in late summer and early fall? The US economy just wrapped 2025 with a labor market that looks steadier than those fears suggested.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that nonfarm payrolls grew by 50,000 in December, essentially flat from November's revised 56,000 gain and just shy of the 60,000 economists expected.

October's numbers took a hit in revisions, with job losses deepening from 105,000 to 173,000—a downward adjustment of 68,000.

The unemployment rate offered better news, dropping to 4.4% from a revised 4.5% in November, coming in below the 4.5% forecast.

Wages picked up momentum too. Average hourly earnings climbed 0.3% for the month, accelerating from November's 0.2% increase and matching expectations. Year-over-year, wages jumped 3.8%, up from November's 3.5% and surpassing the 3.6% estimate.