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.

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to a level that signaled a steadily improving job market. The figures came one day before the government is expected to report that January marked another solid month for hiring.

Businesses are growing more confident in the economy, investing in more equipment and laying off fewer workers.

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to a seasonally adjusted 377,000, up from a nearly four-year low the previous week. But the longer-term trend is pointing to a healthier job market.

The economy is off to a fast start in 2012.

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits plummeted last week to 352,000, the fewest since April 2008. The decline added to evidence that the job market is strengthening.

U.S. factories are roaring back from the depths of the recession, cranking out more machinery, vehicles and energy.

Applications for weekly unemployment benefits spiked last week, largely because companies let go of thousands of workers after the holiday season.