Nebraska’s unemployment rate was unchanged in February, coming in at 3.8%. While the same as in January, that’s down 2-tenths of a point from a year ago and less than half of the national rate of 7.7%.

The February jobless rate for Omaha was 4.6%…down 4-10ths of a point from January and half a point from last year…while the rate in Lincoln was 3.8%…also 4-10ths below January but 3-10ths lower than a year ago.

The Scotts Bluff Micropolitan Statistical Area…which includes Scotts Bluff and Banner counties…had a 4.7% unemployment rate, down 3-10ths of a point from January.

The statewide numbers are adjusted for seasonal factors while the local numbers are not, making direct comparisons between them meaningless.

The number of non-farm jobs grew by 2,972 in February and by 7,450 over the previous 12 months. The biggest gains for the month were in Professsional and Business Services, Education and Health Services. and Manufacturing

State Labor Commissioner Catherine Lang says manufacturing continues to be one of the bright spots in Nebraska’s recovery from the recession…adding some 5,000 jobs since the low point of January and February 2010. The state’s percentage increase in manufacturing jobs has topped the national rate the last 6 months.