U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average posting its eighth straight record close, as investors cheered on better-than-expected employment data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 66.71 points, or 0.30 percent, to 22,092.81. The S&P 500 gained 4.67 points, or 0.19 percent, to 2,476.83. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 11.22 points, or 0.18 percent, to 6,351.56.

U.S. total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 209,000 in July, well above market expectations, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.3 percent, according to the U.S. Labor Department Friday.

Because last July's job growth was the second strongest of the year, the 12-month average of job creation actually dropped a bit, which puts this month' s report very nicely into perspective.

All the key data were stronger than expected, but none were really all that strong," said Chris Low, chief economist of FTN Financial.

Traders kept close eye on nonfarm payroll report and tried to find clues on when the Federal Reserve might start the balance sheet reduction and increase interest rate.

"Since the next likely rate decision is in December anyway, this report is not likely to have much impact on the Fed, especially because there is absolutely nothing here to suggest delaying the start of balance sheet reduction, which is most likely the FOMC's (Federal Open Market Committee) next move," Low added.

The Dow has risen over 11 percent and recorded three 1,000-points milestones from the beginning of 2017. The benchmark climbed above 22,000 on Wednesday, lifted by strong earnings, and posted its seventh straight record close on Thursday.

Latest data from Thomson Reuters showed that the S&P 500 companies' blended earnings in the second quarter of 2017 are expected to rise 12.0 percent year on year, while the revenues are forecast to increase 5.0 percent.