Private employers added 281,000 jobs in June, payroll processor ADP said Wednesday, raising hopes that a solid labor market surged further last month, reported USA Today.
Economists had estimated ADP would report 205,000 payroll additions.
The job gains are the most ADP has reported since November 2012.
ADP's report generally reflects the same broad trends in hiring as the Labor Department's survey, which is due Friday and compiles net job additions from both governments and businesses. But the ADP report often differs noticeably from Labor's survey. Last month, ADP said businesses added 179,000 jobs, while Labor reported 216,000 private sector gains and 217,000 overall.
In June, small businesses added 117,000 jobs, mid-size ones, 115,000 and large companies, 49,000, ADP reported.
The payroll gains were also broad-based across sectors. Professional and business services led, with 77,000 additional jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities added 50,000 and construction firms, 36,000.
"The job market is steadily improving," says Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, which helps ADP compile the report. "Judging from the job market, the economic recovery remains fully intact and is gaining momentum."
The economy added an average 231,000 jobs a month from February through May despite harsh winter weather that battered first- quarter growth and consumer spending that has slowed recently.
