Indiana added 8,200 private sector jobs in January, marking the 19th consecutive month of job growth.

Over the past month the Hoosier State accounted for nearly 6 percent of the nation’s private sector employment increase while adding jobs at three times the national rate (0.3 percent versus 0.1 percent). Since July 2009, the low point of employment in the state, Indiana continues to outpace the national average for private sector growth (7.9 percent versus 4.9 percent).

While Indiana experienced significant job gains in January, the 1,000 household survey used by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated the unemployment rate rose 0.3 percent to 8.6 percent, due to the labor force increasing by nearly 14,000 individuals, more than 10,000 of which returned to look for work over the month. January’s increase signifies the largest one-month expansion of our labor force since November 1993.

“It’s quite encouraging Indiana seems to be continuing the trend of private sector job growth into 2013,” said Scott B. Sanders, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “However, it is very confusing when BLS has survey data from 5,000 businesses showing continued increases in employment, while the household survey continues to show employment below what businesses are reporting.”

Sanders also noted BLS revised Indiana’s December private sector job growth upward by more than 19,000 in January due to their annual benchmark process.

Sectors showing significant gains in January include: Professional and Business Services (5,700), Leisure and Hospitality (2,200), All Other (1,600), and Trade, Transportation & Utilities (800). The Financial Activities (-1,000), and Construction (-900) sectors showed significant decline. Total non-farm employment increased in January (5,800).

Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Inside INdiana Business