The unemployment rate in Oklahoma rose by two-tenths of a percentage point last month, reports KOTV. That brings the level up to 4.7 percent, making it even with the national unemployment rate.
From April to May Oklahoma’s labor force declined by well over 7,000 workers. Meanwhile the number of jobless rose by nearly 10,000.
The professional and business services sector lost the most, shedding 2,300 jobs during the month. The manufacturing industry lost 2,000 jobs and the trade, transportation and utilities sector lost 1,000. The news wasn’t all bad, though. The education and health services industries added 3,300 jobs for the month. The construction industry also grew, increasing by 1,800 new jobs. Labor numbers were provided by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.
