Minnesota lost 2,000 jobs in August, raising the unemployment rate by 0.1 of a percentage point to 5.9 percent, state officials reported today.
The national unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in August.
State officials also revised the July jobs number downward by 2,000, saying that the state gained 4,800 jobs that month.
In the past year, they say, the state has added 24,500 jobs.
"Despite solid job gains in the previous two months, the labor market is still struggling to find its footing," said DEED Commissioner Mark Phillips in a statement. "The long-term trend remains positive, however, with the majority of business sectors reporting job growth over the past year."
August results include reported increases:
- Government (up 5,400 jobs)
- Education and health services (up 1,900)
- Information (up 900)
- Leisure and hospitality (up 300)
And losses:
- Trade, transportation and utilities (down 3,400)
- Manufacturing (down 2,700)
- Construction (down 1,300)
- Financial activities (down 1,100)
- Other services (down 1,100)
- Professional and business services (down 600)
- Logging and mining (down 300).