Employers in the United States boosted payrolls more than forecast in February, Bloomberg reported, indicating that companies are growing more optimistic about the economic expansion. The jobless rate held at 8.3 percent.

The 227,000 increase in employees followed a revised 284,000 gain in January that was bigger than first estimated, according to Labor Department figures released today in Washington, D.C. Job growth in the past six months was the strongest since 2006.

More jobs are helping to fuel the wage gains that drive consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of the economy. The latest pickup in employment might not be convincing enough for Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who last week said the labor market remains “far from normal,” a sign that policy-makers continue to see merit in keeping interest rates low.

“Businesses have a bit more confidence about where the recovery is going,” said Omair Sharif, a U.S. economist at RBS Securities Inc. in Stamford, Conn. There’s “a little better feeling that demand for their products will hold up for the next six months or so,” he said.