Kentucky officials say the state's unemployment rate held steady at 5.1 percent in May.
The state Office of Employment and Training announced that last month's preliminary jobless rate was down from the 6.7 percent rate in May 2014 and remains below the national average. Last month's rate was the same as the revised 5.1 percent rate in April 2015.
State officials say the professional and business services sector jumped by 2,500 jobs in May from a month ago. The sector has grown by 8,900 jobs in the last 12 months.
Some of the most impressive employment gains were in the educational and health services sector which increased by 1,600 positions in May 2015 and posted a gain of 9,100 jobs over the year. The financial activities sector added 900 jobs in May 2015.
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