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 that Americans are returning rapidly to the labor force, helped by steady consumer spending that is bolstering demand and prompting employers to expand their workforces.

Though markets from New York to Shanghai have signaled alarm bells about the stability of the global economy — particularly amid a period of volatile oil prices and diminished demand in China — the U.S. performance of late is likely to boost confidence among investors.

"The financial markets' panic over a possible recession in the U.S. has been misplaced, if the string of jobs reports are any indication," said Mark Hamrick, a senior economic analyst at Bankrate.com.

The data released by the Department of Labor also showed improved jobs numbers for December and January. Combined, gains in those months were revised upward by 30,000.

If there was any reason for disappointment, it came in wages: The average hourly salary dipped three cents between January and February, to $25.35. That step back offset what had been several months of strong wage gains — suggesting employers were beginning to compete more aggressively for workers and raising pay as a result. If that trend intensifies, it would help lift the U.S. from a prolonged period of stagnation that has, for many Americans, made the recovery feel unsatisfying.

Economists say that wage data can be volatile from month to month. Over the last year, wages for Americans have risen 2.2 percent, just a tick above the pace maintained throughout the recovery. That suggests that a degree of slack remains in the labor market.

Chico Harlan covers personal economics as part of The Post's financial team.