State unemployment stays at 9.1%

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The New York labor department reports the statewide unemployment rate remained at 9.1% in August even as its payroll survey shows 3,300 private sector jobs added to the economy.

Department data released Thursday, September 20, also show first-time unemployment claims of 96,334 last month, down 10% from 106,818 a year earlier.

The jobless rate in New York City dipped from 10% in July to 9.9% in August. The rate in the rest of the state rose from 8.4 to 8.6%.

Both rates are up almost 1% from a year ago. Meanwhile, the national rate has dropped by 1% to 8.1%.

The number of unemployed New Yorkers rose slightly from 869,400 in July to 872,100 in August.
The state notes 102,000 jobs added this year.

The most recent unemployment figures for the Buffalo area are from July. The unemployment rate was 9.03%. Numbers for August will be released later this month.