The state’s unemployment rate has increased for the fourth straight month. Missouri’s September unemployment figure was 5.2%. The number has inched higher since March’s low of 4.2%.

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Missouri’s unemployment rate continues to climb

The figure is also above the national unemployment rate of 5%.

Missouri’s 2016 unemployment history:

January: 4.2%
Febuary: 4.2%
March: 4.2%
April: 4.3%
May: 4.3%
June: 4.5%
July: 4.7%
August: 5.1%

According to seasonally adjusted data released Wednesday by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 6,700 jobs in September.

Missouri’s largest private-industry employment growth for the month occurred in health care & social assistance (+2,400 jobs), followed by educational services (+1,700 jobs), and finance & insurance (+1,500 jobs).