Minnesota sheds 1700 jobs in October, unemployment rate drops

The state gained a net 33,800 jobs last month, well ahead of what it has averaged in October since the Great Recession ended in 2009.

New Jersey employers added 16,100 nonfarm jobs in October as the unemployment rate tumbled for a fifth consecutive month, hitting 5.4 percent, according to preliminary data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics that shows private sector employment increased by 54,100 jobs over the past year.

A handful of industries gained jobs in October, including “other services” (up 2,200), professional and business services (up 1,300), government (up 500), manufacturing (up 400) and education and health services (up 400).

Washington state’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.2 percent for the second month in a row.

“The unemployment rate is the lowest since June 2008”, Sandoval said in a prepared statement. The financial activities and information sectors each added 600 jobs, while construction added 200.

Nevada posted its lowest jobless rate in seven years just in time for the busy holiday season.

Department director Jeff Mays said the state’s job-creation still lags much of the country but noted the job growth was the strongest since February.

Seasonal hiring could help more Nevadans with their job hunt, said Bill Anderson, chief economist of the labor department. The number of unemployed in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area grew from 57,700 in September to 61,000 in October. The public sector recorded a gain of 900 jobs.