ST. PAUL  (AP) - Minnesota's unemployment rate remained relatively steady in May when private employers added 1,200 jobs.

State labor officials say the jobless rate inched up 0.1 percent to 6.6 percent, far better than the national rate of 9.1 percent in May. Many job seekers who had stopped looking for work resumed their search in May, which accounted for the slight increase in the unemployment rate.

Sectors that added jobs during the month outnumbered the losers. The construction industry gained 2,200 jobs following a dismal April, which was battered by poor weather.

An influx of temporary workers helped the professional and business service sectors add 1,900 jobs. The financial, trade, transportation and utilities sectors also performed well.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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