At 3.8 Percent: Montana Unemployment Creeps Upward

HELENA – Montana's unemployment rate crept to 3.8 percent last month, compared to 3.6 percent in March.

The national rate fell to 5 percent, down from 5.1 percent in March.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry released the state figures.

Montana Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly says the state added more than 4,500 jobs last month. But Kelly says the increase fell short of expectations, and consequently, the seasonally adjusted job figure shows a decrease of 1,117 jobs.

Montana's labor force declined in April. The labor department says 196 workers left the job market.