Kentucky officials say the state's unemployment rate held steady at 5.1 percent in May.
The state Office of Employment and Training said Thursday that last month's preliminary jobless rate was down from the 6.7 percent rate in May 2014.
Last month's rate was the same as the revised 5.1 percent rate in April 2015.
Kentucky's unemployment rate remains below the national rate.
State officials say Kentucky's professional and business services sector jumped by 2,500 jobs in May 2015 from a month ago. The sector has grown by 8,900 jobs since last May.
Employment in the educational and health services sector increased by 1,600 positions in May 2015 and posted a robust gain of 9,100 jobs over the year. The financial activities sector added 900 jobs in May 2015.