The Nebraska Department of Labor estimates the state's unemployment rate improved slightly in September, to 4.9 percent at the same time the national rate worsened to 9.8 percent.

The Nebraska rate improved by one-tenth of percentage point from August's 5.0 percent. And the national rate increased by the same amount from August's 9.7 percent.

Nebraska Labor Commissioner Catherine Lang says the number of job seekers seems to be decreasing in the state while some new jobs are being created.

Education and health services companies in the state added 1,147 jobs last month, but that was the only private sector with a net increase.

The state says the only labor markets where the unemployment rate increased last month were Columbus and North Platte.