WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - The U.S. generated 145,000 new jobs in December to push employment growth above 2 million for the ninth straight year. The increase in new jobs fell short of the 165,000 MarketWatch forecast. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.5%, which is a 50-year low. An alternative measure of joblessness known as the U6 rate fell to 6.7% to mark the lowest level since the government began keeping track in 1994. The average wage paid to American workers, meanwhile, rose 3 cents, or 0.1%, to $28.32 an hour. The 12-month rate of hourly wage gains slowed to 2.9% from 3.1%, however. Hours worked each week were flat at 34.3. The government revised the increase in new jobs in November to 256,000 from 266,000. October's gain was trimmed to 152,000 from 156,000.