The Oklahoma Employment and Security Commission reported Friday that Oklahoma's unemployment rate in March increased to 4.3 percent, up two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month.
This marks the second consecutive month Oklahoma's unemployment rate has risen, but it still remains well below the national rate of 5.5 percent.
The commission reports about 80,000 Oklahomans were classified as unemployed last month.
Statistics show the oil and gas industry continues to shed jobs, with about 1,200 jobs lost from April to May in the mining and logging sector.
The manufacturing sector also took a hit, with about 2,400 jobs lost during the same period.
Those losses were offset, however, with an increase of about 3,600 in the leisure and hospitality sector.
-----
As a community-supported news organization, KGOU relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.
