Last month's rate was up from 4.9 percent in July and 4.7 percent in June. The rate was 6.3 percent in August 2011.
Even with the bump-up, economists say the monthly report was positive because the state saw gains in both its labor force and jobs.
"It's really not a bad report," said Lynn Gray, the OESC's chief economist.
Oklahoma's gain of 10,400 nonfarm jobs - growth of 0.7 percent - from July to August was tied for the largest percentage increase in the nation, according to the BLS. Hawaii and Missouri also posted 0.7 percent gains.
Compared to August 2011, the state's gain of 45,000 jobs - up 2.9 percent - was the second-highest percentage gain in the nation. It was preceded only by North Dakota's 6.7 percent gain, according to the BLS.
The results of a survey of businesses were a surprise, Gray said, noting that nonfarm job growth from month to month was higher than what the state has seen over the previous few months.
Employment gains were recorded in most industries, except for a few such as mining and manufacturing, which have been strong in recent months, Gray said. Mining lost 700 jobs over the month, while manufacturing was down 100 jobs.
Even a smaller household survey showed a 450-gain in total employment, which includes farm jobs and self-employed people.
The labor force, which includes people working and looking for work, also grew over the month by 3,220. Many of those re-entering the labor force have been unemployed for more than 12 months, Gray said.
The numbers indicate that people think their chances of gaining employment are better, Gray said.
Steve Agee, dean of Oklahoma City University's Meinders School of Business, echoed the view that the increase in labor-force participation is a positive sign.
"That means people are encouraged about the economy," he said. "They're re-entering the labor force, and they're looking for jobs, and they are getting hired.
"The rate of people entering the labor force is a little bit faster than the hiring, and thus the bump up in the unemployment rate. To me, it's still a positive sign for the Oklahoma economy."
Agee added, "I think that nationally, employers are still a little bit concerned about what's going to happen at the end of this year and the beginning of next year with this impending 'fiscal cliff' " in Washington.
"A lot of companies are sitting and waiting to see what happens, but in Oklahoma we continue to see growth. ... So we're still like this little island in a big storm, but it seems to be making good progress."
Nationwide, state unemployment rates were little changed during the month. Compared with August 2011, 42 states and the District of Columbia registered unemployment rate decreases, seven states had increases and one had no change.
Nevada continued to record the highest unemployment rate at 12.1 percent in August, while North Dakota again had the lowest at 3.0 percent.
Job gains and losses among Oklahoma's 11 super sectors in August
(Data based on seasonally adjusted data from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission)Mining and logging -700
Construction +1,700
Manufacturing -100
Trade, transportation and utilities +500
Information +500
Financial activities +600
Professional and business services +2,500
Educational and health services +1,000
Leisure and hospitality +1,400
Other services +700
Government +2,300
Performance of state's super sectors over the year:
Mining and logging +4,300
Construction +1,500
Manufacturing +7,700
Trade, transportation and utilities +11,600
Information -300
Financial activities +2,600
Professional and business services +4,000
Educational and health services +1,300
Leisure and hospitality +3,800
Other services +1,500
Government +7,000
Original Print Headline: State's jobless rate rises, but so does employment
Laurie Winslow 918-581-8466
laurie.winslow@tulsaworld.com
Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/site/articlepath.aspx?articleid=20120922_46_A1_Oklaho507094&rss_lnk=12
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