The U.S. added a strong 242,000 jobs in February, new government data showed Friday morning, a sign of the nation's economic durability during a tumultuous global slowdown.

The unemployment rate held at 4.9 percent, the lowest mark during the seven-year recovery from the Great Recession.

The gains extend a period of labor market stability in which the U.S. has added an average of 235,000 jobs per month over the last half year. That pace indicates Americans are returning rapidly to the labor force, helped by steady consumer spending that is bolstering demand and prompting employers to expand their workforces.