The only way many employees can earn more is to work more hours, and the average work week rose slightly last month to 34.6 hours. But that option is not available to many workers, especially lower-paid ones in lower-skilled jobs. Many of the jobs created last month are in retail and hospitality, service sectors that traditionally are low-paying.

So this is no time for benign neglect by policy makers in Washington and statehouses. Federal and state minimum wages still need to rise. Congress still needs to restore extended federal benefits for long-term unemployed workers.

Looking ahead to next year, let’s hope that such matters will not defy agreement by President Barack Obama and a Republican-controlled Congress. On another economic front, both parties say they want business tax reform that would encourage U.S. companies to keep more of their profits, jobs and investment here. It’s time to get serious about revising the tax code.

As America’s economy continues to grow, it is pulling further ahead of other industrial nations. The economy benefits from low oil (and thus gasoline) prices, rising domestic energy production and the Federal Reserve’s policy of keeping interest rates near zero.

Corporate profits are growing as well. The stock market’s Dow and S&P 500 hit record highs Monday. If now is not the time for all working Americans to share in the new prosperity, when will the time come?

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