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Unemployment sinks to 8.3 pct.

In the most impressive surge for the job market since early last year, the United States added 243,000 jobs in January, far more than economists expected. The unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent, the lowest in three years.

By Christopher S. Rugaber | Updated on February 03, 2012
In this Jan. 25, 2012 photo, Daniela Silvero,left, an admissions officer at ASA College, discuss job opportunities with Patrick Rosarie, who is seeking a job in IT, during JobEXPO's job fair, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the most impressive surge for the job market since early last year, the United States added 243,000 jobs in January, far more than economists expected. The unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent, the lowest in three years.

Hiring accelerated across the economy and up and down the pay scale. The high-salary professional services industry added 70,000 jobs, the most in 10 months. Manufacturing added 50,000, the most in a year.

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