(TriceEdneyWire.com) - The nation’s nonfarm payroll employment added 292,000 jobs last month, resulting in a dramatic drop in unemployment for Black men and Black women.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported early this month that joblessness for African-Americans was 8.3 percent, down from 9.4 percent in November. For Black men 20 years old and older, the unemployment rate was 8.7 percent in December, down from 9.9 percent in November.

The jobless rate for Black women 20 years old and older also showed dramatic improvement to 6.9 percent in December, down from 7.9 percent in November.

Despite the good news the Black jobless rate still remains higher than other ethnic and racial groups, according to BLS.

The Asian unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in December, up from 3.9 percent in November.

The jobless rate for Hispanics was 6.3 percent in December, down from 6.4 percent in November. The unemployment rate for Whites was 4.5 percent in December compared to 4.4 percent in November.

The national unemployment rate remained at 5 percent and the number of unemployed persons was 7.9 million, which was essentially unchanged in December.

BLS reported job gains in professional and business services, construction, health care, food services and bars.