Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for October rose a tenth of a point to a seasonally-adjusted 2.1%, the 6th lowest in the nation and a half-point lower than a year ago.
The jobless rate rose 3-10ths of a point in both Lincoln and Omaha, reaching 2.6% in the state’s largest city and 2.2% in its capital. Omaha is a tenth of a point higher than last October with Lincoln the same as last year.
Grand Island and the Scottsbluff micropolitan statistical area both experienced a jump of 4-10ths of a point from September with Grand Island at 2.3% and Scottsbluff at 2.5%. Grand Island is up a tenth from a year ago with Scottsbluff down a tenth.
The state unemployment numbers are adjusted for seasonal factors while the local numbers aren’t, making comparisons between the two meaningless..
Nebraska Commissioner of Labor John Albin says employment in private education and health services reached a new all-time high in October of over 163,000 with total statewide nonfarm employment, a count of filled jobs, up nearly 7,000 for the month.
Nonfarm employment was 1,053,548 in October, up 6,949 from September and 13,041 more than a year ago.
The private industry sector with the most job growth month to month was Trade, Transportation, and Utilities – which added 2,077 jobs.
Private Education and Health Services grew the most over the previous 12 months with another 4,188 jobs while Leisure and Hospitality added 3,195 jobs.