Mississippi labor market was flat in September, with unemployment and payrolls steady.
The state unemployment rate remained at 6 percent for third straight month, but was below the September 2015 6.4 percent.
The number of jobs in Mississippi continued to grow in September to 1,143,900. Jobs were up 200 since August. In fact, over the year since September 2015, jobs increased by 7,900. These job figures are based on a survey of Mississippi employers and are considered the most reliable guide to job growth in our state.
Based on a separate survey of individuals, the Mississippi seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.0% in September, which was unchanged from the August rate; however, the September 2016 rate is four-tenths of a percentage point lower than a year ago in September 2015 when the rate was 6.4 percent.
Mississippi had fourth-highest jobless rate among states in September, with Alaska worst at 6.9 percent. The nationwide jobless rate rose to 5 percent in September from 4.9 percent in August.
The separate payroll survey, used by many economists as their top labor market indicator, was unchanged from August at 1.14 million. That is about 8,000 over September 2015 levels, but 1.5 percent below the Mississippi pre-recession peak.
The U.S. Labor Department released both sets of figures Friday, adjusted to cancel out seasonal changes.
