Minnesota jobless rate steady at 4 percent in February

Minnesota's jobless rate held steady in February at a seasonally adjusted 4 percent, significantly better than the U.S. unemployment rate, but the state's 12-month job growth continued to lag the nation, state officials reported Thursday.

Minnesota employers added 3,800 jobs in February, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The agency also said January's job losses were revised from 8,300 jobs lost to 3,900 jobs lost.

February was the seventh consecutive month the state adjusted jobless rate stood at 4 percent, compared to the national rate of 4.7 percent.

"The February report is another sign that Minnesota's economy is moving in the right direction," DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy said in a statement. "Businesses are adding jobs and people are finding work in growing industries like construction and education and health services."

Over the past year, the state has gained 39,564 jobs for a growth rate of 1.4 percent while U.S. job growth during that period was 1.7 percent, the department said.

Minnesota sectors gaining jobs in February included: trade, transportation and utilities with 5,700 new jobs; construction, up 4,500; and manufacturing up 1,100.

Sectors losing jobs in the month included professional and business services (down 3,100), leisure and hospitality (down 2,800), and government (down 2,400).