The number of U.S. temporary help jobs rose by 20,100 during January to approximately 2.4 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, temporary jobs were up by 160,500 in January compared with the same month a year ago.

The temporary help penetration rate rose to 1.82 percent in January, up from 1.81 percent in December.

January was also the month for the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual revision of seasonal adjustment factors for its establishment survey data. This revision shows more temporary jobs were added in 2011 than first reported. The data now shows the U.S. added 140,400 temp jobs from January 2011 through December 2011, up 42,800 from the initially reported data.

Using the revised data, the employment services category added 33,200 jobs in January for a total of approximately 3.07 million jobs. The employment services industry includes temporary help services as well as employment placement agencies, executive search services and professional employer organizations.

Overall, the U.S. gained 243,000 jobs in January, according to seasonally adjusted numbers from the bureau. In addition, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent in January from 8.5 percent in December. However, the college-level unemployment rate, which can serve as a proxy for professional employment, was 4.2 percent in January, up from 4.1 percent in December.

The private sector gained 257,000 jobs in January, but government shed 14,000 jobs.

In the goods-producing sector, manufacturing added 50,000 jobs. Construction employment rose by 21,000 in January following a gain of 31,000 in the previous month

Leisure and hospitality added 44,000 jobs in January. Healthcare employment continued its growth and added 30,900 jobs.