US unemployment rate rises

After a small dip in July, Missouri’s unemployment rate returned to 4.4 percent in August.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, July’s jobless rate was 4.3 percent, above June’s 4.4 percent rate.

Last month, employers added 156,000 jobs. Comparatively, nonfarm payroll ranks rose by 209,000 in July, according to a BLS news release.

Job increases were led by:
    •    manufacturing, at 36,000 positions;
    •    construction, at 28,000;
    •    professional and technical services, at 22,000;
    •    health care, at 20,000;
    •    food services and drinking places, at 9,000; and
    •    mining, at 7,000.

Other major industries, including wholesale trade, information and financial activities, were relatively flat in August compared with July, according to the news release.

The BLS recently reported a 3.3 percent unemployment rate in July for the Springfield metropolitan statistical area. Missouri’s jobless rate the same month was 4 percent.