NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana’s unemployment rate was level at 5 percent in September from August, with employer payrolls also flat.
The state’s jobless rate didn’t rise after five straight monthly increases. Louisiana’s jobless rate was 4.8 percent in September 2017.
The number of people who reported having a job fell at the same rate as the labor force, with unemployed Louisianans level at 106,000 from August to September.
The separate employer payroll survey - many economists’ top labor market indicator - was flat at 1.99 million. Payrolls are 20,000 above September 2017, thanks to early 2018 gains.
August’s U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent in September from 3.9 percent in August. Louisiana has the third-highest jobless rate among states.
The U.S. Labor Department released figures Friday, adjusted to cancel out seasonal changes.
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