2013 ended with strong job gains

By Annalyn Kurtz  @AnnalynKurtz

Private sector hiring gained momentum in December, according to a report by payroll processing firm ADP.

The report shows the private sector added 238,000 jobs in December, marking the strongest month for hiring since November 2012.

The services sector continued to be the leader in job creation, but strong growth also came from traditional blue collar industries. Construction firms added 48,000 jobs, the highest level of growth for that sector since early 2006. Manufacturers added 19,000 jobs and trade, transportation and utility companies added 47,000 jobs.

The report adds to the evidence that the economy fared well at the end of 2013.

"The job market ended 2013 on a high note," said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, which helps ADP (ADP, Fortune 500) compile the report. "It appears that businesses are growing more confident and increasing their hiring."

The ADP report comes two days before the government will release the official numbers for job growth and unemployment for December. Economists surveyed by CNNMoney expect that 193,000 jobs were added last month and that the unemployment rate was 7%, unchanged from November.