South Dakota seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate declines to 4.6 percent in May

PIERRE, S.D. – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports South Dakota’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2010 was 4.6 percent, down slightly from the April 2010 rate of 4.7 percent.

“Although the unemployment rate has declined, there is still much progress to be made for an economic rebound,” said State Labor Secretary Pam Roberts.

The May 2009 South Dakota unemployment rate was 5.0 percent. However, the unemployment rate for May 2008 was only 2.8 percent, reflective of better economic times and a healthier economy.

“Two years ago, there were almost 14,000 job openings statewide,” said Secretary Roberts. “There are now about 7,500 listed, which has been steady for the last three months.”

The health care services sector has been resilient throughout the recession and continued to add jobs in May. Over the month, jobs were also added in the manufacturing, retail trade and wholesale trade industry sectors. The growth in these sectors was stronger than expected.

Nationally, the unemployment rate also decreased, from 9.9 percent in April 2010 to 9.7 percent in May 2010.

An overview of the sub-state labor market and snapshot of South Dakota’s economy will be released June 25 in the e-Labor Bulletin. This publication and information on workforce services is available at www.sdjobs.org

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