Although more jobs were lost in September, employment actually improved in most states. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest state unemployment report indicates that 39 states had more employed workers in September than in August, while 11 states had fewer. That's significantly better than the month-over-month change in August, when just eight states gained workers and 42 had fewer. Some state job markets continue to improve more than others, however.

Although states generally had more workers in September, only 23 saw their unemployment rates decline compared to August. Meanwhile the rate rose in 11 states and was flat in 16. Compared to a year earlier, 29 states had a lower unemployment rate, while 16 had a higher rate. Five were unchanged.

The biggest step backwards was in West Virginia, where the unemployment rate rose by 0.4% to 9.2%. That was still below the national average of 9.6%, however. Three other states, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Maryland all saw their rates increase by 0.2%, though all also remained below 8%, well beneath the national rate.

The most improved award goes to Massachusetts. Its unemployment rate declined by 0.4% to 8.4% in September. Rhode Island, Maine, and Alabama also improved significantly, by 0.3%.