The jobless rate in Kansas dipped from 6.7 to 6.4 percent from September to October as state businesses gained over 6,000 jobs since this time last year, the Kansas Department of Labor reported this week. This was the same unemployment rate at October 2009.

Closer to home, the rate in Barton County was 4.9 percent, down from 5.9 last month and 6 percent in October 2009.

Kansas nonfarm employment gained 14,800 jobs over the month, a 1.1 percent increase. The private sector saw above average over-the-month growth of 8,300 jobs. Over the year, this sector has gained 7,100 jobs. This is the fourth consecutive month of over-the-year gains.

"This month’s labor report is more encouraging than we have seen in the past few months," said Tyler Tenbrink, KDL economist. "It is a positive sign to see private sector job growth, particularly in the service sector as those jobs make up such a large part of total Kansas employment. As the improving economic climate brings discouraged workers back to the labor force, increasing the number of jobs will be key."

"With more private sector growth and lower unemployment than the national rate, October was yet another encouraging month for Kansas’ economic recovery," said Gov. Mark Parkinson. "As Kansans prepare to sit down together this Thanksgiving, our state has much to be thankful for as our economy is proving to be stronger than much of the country. But more work lies ahead."

Nationally, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 151,000 in October, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported earlier this month. Since December 2009, nonfarm payroll employment has risen by 874,000. The number of unemployed persons, at 14.8 million, was little changed in October and the unemployment rate remained at 9.6 percent and has been essentially unchanged since May.

In Kansas, the KDL noted, six of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-year job gains in October. The construction industry experienced over-the-year job gains for the seventh consecutive month. Other industries with over-the-year increases were trade, transportation and utilities; other services; mining and logging; manufacturing; and professional and business services, which saw its first growth since November 2008.

Eight of the 11 major industries in Kansas reported over-the-month job gains in October. These gains were highest in the following areas:

• Government gained 6,500 jobs over the month, a 2.5 percent increase. The majority of job gains in this area are seasonal and at the local level.

• Professional and business services gained 3,400 jobs over the month, a 2.5 percent increase. The majority of job gains in this area were in administrative and support services, which includes job placement services for temporary workers.

• Education and health services gained 3,400 jobs over the month, a 1.9 percent increase. Job gains were highest in education which only includes private education.

However, five major industries reported statewide over-the-year losses. These losses were highest in the following areas:

• Financial activities lost 2,500 jobs over the year, a 3.6 percent decrease. The majority of losses in this industry were in finance and insurance.

• Information lost 1,700 jobs over the year, a 5.0 percent decrease. The majority of losses in this area were in telecommunications.

•Leisure and hospitality lost 1,500 jobs over the year, a 1.3 percent decrease. The majority of losses in this were in food services and drinking places.

Three major industries reported over-the-month job losses in October, including manufacturing, financial activities and leisure and hospitality.

There were 23,231 initial claims for unemployment benefits in October, down from 23,583 initial claims in September 2010 and down from 33,263 in October 2009. There were 219,323 continued claims in October, up from 194,587 in September 2010 and down from 275,484 in October 2009.

The November 2010 Labor Report will be released Dec. 17, 2010.