(INDIANAPOLIS) – The State of Indiana saw their unemployment rate go down slightly from February to March.

The recent figures from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development shows the jobless rate went from 2.3 percent in February to 2.2 percent in March. That makes the sixth consecutive month the unemployment rate has been below 3 percent in the Hoosier State.

Additionally, Indiana’s labor force participation rate rose from 62.1 percent in February to 62.4 percent in March, matching the national rate. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,332,239, which is an increase of 16,304 from the previous month.

Private sector employment in Indiana increased by 7,300 jobs over the last month, resulting in a gain of 101,500 jobs from this time last year. Total private employment now stands at 2,753,900, another preliminary peak for the state. The increases in March were in Private Education & Health Services (+2,200); Manufacturing (+2,100); Construction (+1,400) and Financial Activities (+1,300).

DWD Commissioner Fred Payne says the latest employment data continues to show a positive trend with Indiana’s labor force. He says he's encouraged by the increase in private employment and the labor participation rate.

By comparison, the national unemployment rate decreased from 3.8 percent in February to 3.6 percent in March.