(Bloomberg). U.S. businesses added 75,000 jobs to their workforce in December, which indicates that Americans are returning to work and helping to fill an unprecedented number of vacant positions. 

Businesses’ payrolls grew by 807,000 last month, after a downwardly revised 505,000 gain in November, according to ADP Research Institute data released Wednesday. According to a Bloomberg poll of economists, the median prediction was for an increase of 410,000.

“Job gains were broad-based, as goods producers added the strongest reading of the year, while service providers dominated growth,” ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson said in a statement.

Employers had greater success in hiring December workers due to the attractive terms and higher wages. The recent rise in Covid-19-related infections could affect hiring, as Americans may be less inclined to travel or eat out at restaurants and other activities.

The data precede Friday’s monthly jobs report from the Labor Department, which is currently forecast to show that the U.S. added 384,000 private payrolls in December. ADP’s data don’t always align with those of the government because of different measurement techniques.

Strong Services

Employment as a service provider rose to 669,000 in December. This is the highest level since June.

The strongest increase in payrolls for goods producers was 138,000.

The 389,000 jobs added by companies with over 500 employees is the highest since June 2020. The December gain for small businesses was 204,000, the highest in six months.

ADP’s payroll data represent firms employing nearly 26 million workers in the U.S.