Washington ? America’s payrolls grew by 146,000 in January, a sluggish pace suggesting companies are reluctant to bulk up their work forces and highlighting the challenges faced by jobseekers. The unemployment rate fell as people left the job market.

The newest employment snapshot, released by the Labor Department Friday, showed improvements in the job market still coming slowly despite the fact that the economic expansion has become more firmly entrenched.

President Bush’s first term in office ended up showing a net gains in payroll jobs. From January 2001 to January 2005, the economy generated a net gain of 119,000 jobs. That allows Bush to escape being the first president since Herbert Hoover to have a net loss of jobs on his watch, a forecast by Democrats throughout the 2004 presidential campaign.

Companies, keeping a close eye on profit margins, are still showing caution in hiring as they cope with high energy bills and soaring health care costs for workers, economists said.

“The economy is recovering, but it is still difficult for people looking for a job to find work,” said Lynn Reaser, chief economist at Banc of America Capital Management. “Companies are only cautiously putting out the help-wanted signs.”

The overall civilian unemployment rate declined to 5.2 percent in January, from 5.4 percent in December, as people left the job market for any number of reasons. January’s jobless rate was the lowest since September 2001.

On Wall Street, January’s payroll figure sent stocks higher on investors’ hopes that the Federal Reserve might be less aggressive in raising interest rates. The Dow Jones industrials gained 123.03 points to close at 10,716.13.