State unemployment data for September was released by the Department of Technology, Management & Budget, and the new figures show a slight two-tenths of a percentage point increase in unemployment from August to September. The September rate was 3.9 percent, one-tenth higher than the national rate of 3.8 percent. Note that given the timing of the UAW strikes, those employees on strike were counted as employed for the month of September.  

Over the month, total employment rose by 13,000 and the total workforce increased by 23,000, but on the other side, unemployment also increased by 9,000. The increase in unemployment marks the third straight month that the rate has increased, even as year-over-year employment gains of 3.7 percent have outpaced national employment gains of 1.7 percent. 

The sharpest decline in jobs came from nonfarm employment, with seasonally adjusted jobs dropping by 10,000 from August to September. The bulk of that decrease is the result of an 8,000 job decline in the leisure and hospitality sector. 

Looking at specific sectors, the manufacturing sector saw a decline in jobs for the second consecutive month, as jobs dropped by 3,000. While the trade, transportation, and utilities sector all saw their third straight month of increases.