U.S. unemployment rate holds steady

The national unemployment rate remained steady at 3.6% for the month of May, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The latest data reported 5.9 million people unemployed. Additionally, the total nonfarm payroll employment increased in May by 75,000.

Local and state data for the month of May have not yet been released.

In April, Missouri’s unemployment rate fell to 2.9% from 3.9% in March, according to BLS data that is not seasonally adjusted.

Following suit, the Springfield metropolitan statistical area’s unemployment rate fell in April to 2.5% from 3.3% the month prior, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

The Springfield MSA – covering Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties – was the third lowest unemployment rate in April among the eight metro areas in the state.