Nebraska has retained its status as the state with the nation’s lowest unemployment rate.
The U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics says Nebraska’s seasonally-adjusted jobless rate for October dropped 6-10ths of a point to an even 3%
That’s less than half the national rate of 6.9% and edges out Vermont and Iowa, who had rates of 3.2% and 3.6%. Hawaii had the highest rate nationally at 14.3%.
Omaha had the biggest monthly drop in Nebraska, going from 3.9% to an even 3% – although that’s 3-10ths higher than last Oct, while Lincoln’s rate was down half a point for the month and up 2-10ths for the year.
Grand Island came in at 3.4%, an 8-10ths of a point improvement for both the month and year, while the 2.8% for the Scottsbluff micropolitan statistical area was 7-10ths of a point under Sept and 3-10th better than a year ago.
Statewide rates are adjusted for seasonal factors while local rates aren’t, making comparisons of the two meaningless.
State Labor Commissioner John Albin was pleased with the job numbers as well, pointing out there were more than a million non-farm jobs for the second straight month with growth all across the state – including metropolitan areas.
Nonfarm employment was 1,010,560 in October, still down 25,826 from last year as the impact of the pandemic continues, but up 8,912 jobs from Sept for the largest October increase on record
Industry sectors with the most growth year over year were education and health (up 2,981) and financial activities (up 1,567). The largest gains for the month were in education and health (up 3,265) and trade, transportation and utilities (up 1,846);