State unemployment remains at 4-year low

The seasonally adjusted rate for last month was 4.8 percent, up from 4.6 percent in August and down from 5.7 percent at this time last year.

Still, both August and September figures are the lowest since August 2001 when it was 4.7 percent.

The nonseasonally adjusted rate in September was 4.6 percent, little changed from 4.5 percent in August but an increase over the same month last year at 5.9 percent.

More than 38,000 jobs have been created statewide this year.

As summer workers began the school year, nonfarm payroll dropped 16,000 jobs from August to September. Education jobs changed little in September from the previous month as the fall semester began early, and employment gains were reflected in August figures instead.

Manufacturing employment was up by 1,100 jobs, and construction jobs increased by 1,000 jobs.

Seasonally adjusted employment in educational and health services was down by 4,300 jobs from August to September, and government employment decreased by 8,600 jobs.

Leisure and hospitality jobs also experienced a decline of 4,300, likely caused by the damper of high fuel prices on travel. Trade, transportation and utilities fell by 1,500 jobs in September.[[In-content Ad]]