A new report says Missouri's unemployment rate edged higher last month while the state gained 6,200 payroll jobs.
The state Department of Economic Development said Tuesday the August jobless rate was 7.2 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from July.
The report says the biggest increase in jobs was in the government sector. It added 5,700 jobs - including 5,000 for local governments. The agency attributes the gains to the early start to the school year.
The education and health services sector added 1,800 jobs.
The largest losses were 2,300 jobs in trade, transportation and utilities, and 1,100 in professional and business services.