State unemployment up slightly; national rate steady

Missouri's unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percent in March, while the national rate remained the same for the third consecutive month, according to information released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The state rate was 9.5 percent, up from 9.4 percent in February and up from 8.8 percent in March 2009, the bureau's monthly jobs report said Friday.

The overall Midwest unemployment rate held steady at 10.7 percent in March, though it was up from 9.7 percent a year earlier. The West region continued to have the highest unemployment rate, at 11.3 percent - the same rate as in February.

About 284,000 Missourians were without jobs in March, up from 281,700 in February and 270,100 in March 2009. Missouri was one of 17 states to post month-to-month increases in jobless numbers. Michigan had the largest decrease, at 9,500 jobs, followed by Nevada and Florida.

Information about all 50 states and the nation as a whole is available at the BLS Web site.