hampton pearso takes a look at >> reporter: while there was a winter chill to the pace of hiring in december, job growth in the last three months of 2017 averaged more than 200,000 new workers added to payrolls each month. at 4.1%, the unemployment rate is the lowest since 2000. december even saw a slight increase in wages. average hourly earnings up 2.5% year over year, now just under $27 an hour. >> we think they continue to grind higher, maybe a little closer to 3% by the end of this year. if you're looking for a takeoff moment, that's probably not what it all adds up, leading economist predict, to a wait and see approach from incoming fed chairman jay powell and monetary policymakers when it comes to tracking interest scares anyone and makes them want a hike any farther faster than they otherwise would. they'll err on the side of caution. >> right now the fed doesn't mind if inflation runs a little bit hotter and people get wage n a s. led the way in job gains in december, adding 30,000 and 25,000 new workers respectively. the unemployment rate for african-amers rea a record low of 6.8%