Oklahoma unemployment rates low compared to nation

By Madison Price

Oklahoma’s 5.4 percent unemployment rate puts it in a three-way tie for thirteenth in the nation, The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows.

As of Dec. 2013, Oklahoma shares the spot with Louisiana and Montana. All three states sit at 1.3 percent below the national average, and 3.9 percent below Rhode Island, the most unemployed state. North Dakota has our nation’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.7 percent.

Oklahoma suffered it’s highest unemployment rate in June 1983, when it spiked to 9.8 percent. The lowest was in Dec. 2000 at 2.8 percent.

Tulsa is faring better than the entire state, its current rate at 4.9. Statistics like this are hopeful for college graduates who will soon find themselves in the job market.

for more statistics on national unemployment, visit http://www.bls.gov