Missouri adds 3,700 jobs

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - A new report says Missouri's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.6 percent last month while employers expanded payrolls by a net of 3,700 jobs.

Tuesday's report from the Department of Economic Development says the biggest gains were in the professional and business services sector, which added 3,600 jobs in May. Leisure and hospitality sector jobs increased by 2,500, and manufacturing positions grew by 2,100.

Those gains were partly offset by losses of 3,500 jobs in the construction sector and 600 in trade, transportation and utilities.

Missouri's seasonally adjusted civilian labor force of about 3 million people declined by 630 people in May. The labor force counts people with jobs and those who are on unemployment but looking for work.