WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. economy added a larger-than-expected 250,000 jobs in October, with the unemployment rate unchanged at 3.7 percent, the lowest level in almost five decades, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday.

In October, job gains mainly occurred in health care, manufacturing, construction and in transportation and warehousing.

Average hourly earnings for all private-sector workers increased 5 cents, or 0.2 percent, last month to 27.3 U.S. dollars. Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.1 percent.

After a downward revision for nonfarm payroll employment in September and upward revision for August, job gains have averaged 218,000 over the past three months.

The continued hiring and wage increases reinforce expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates again at its policy meeting in December.

The Fed last month raised its benchmark interest rate for the third time this year. Fed policy makers also indicated another possible rate hike in December, three more in 2019 and probably one more in 2020.