State’s jobless rate levels off after 5 straight increases
The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday the jobless rate remained at 5.6 percent in July, after a five-month streak that saw it rise from 4.6 percent in January.
The national rate was 4.9 percent in July.
Meanwhile, a survey of employers found seasonally adjusted nonfarm payrolls crept up by about 8,000 jobs in July, closer to 5.9 million, just below March’s record high.
The civilian labor force shrank by 15,000 after hitting a record high above 6.54 million in May. Employment dropped by 18,000 while unemployment grew by 3,000.
Friday’s figures are preliminary and could change.