Show-Me State jobless rate holds steady

The Missouri unemployment rate held at 6.3 percent in September, following a drop of two-tenths of a point in August.

The Show-Me State's nonfarm payroll employment ranks grew by 8,100 jobs last month. Payrolls increased 53,700 over the past year, according to a Missouri Department of Economic Development news release.

Among September payroll gains were 3,900 new jobs in accommodations and food services; 1,700 jobs in construction; and 1,100 jobs in the management of companies and enterprises.

The U.S. unemployment rate dipped two-tenths of a point to 5.9 percent in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The latest data from the BLS for the Springfield metropolitan statistical area show a 5.2 percent jobless rate for August.