Topeka ? Unemployment in Kansas increased in October to 4.6 percent, officials said. And while the jump was predictable, when the economy will rebound was not as clear.

The jobless rate has increased from September to October each year since 1982.

“I don’t think there are any big surprises,” said Bill Layes, the state’s chief of labor market information services.

For the month, the number of unemployed rose by 3,900 to 66,700. First-time jobless claims were up 3,830 compared to September, and about 1,000 more than the same period a year ago.

Overall, Layes said there was still reason to question if the Kansas economy was improving.

Year to date, Layes said, Kansas is still down about 5,000 manufacturing jobs, a reflection of national weakness. The U.S. unemployment rate stood at 5.7 percent for October.

State economists forecast earlier in the year that Kansas’ unemployment will average about 4.4 percent for 2002, falling to 3.9 percent in 2003.

“I really hope that’s the case. We don’t have solid information that we see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Layes said.

Three of the state’s four metropolitan statistical areas reported increases in October jobless rates, the exception being Lawrence, which held steady at 4.1 percent.

The Topeka area increased from 4.1 percent to 4.3 percent in October. It was the only metro area to see a decline in the number of employed, with losses in construction, transportation and financial sectors.

The Kansas portion of the Kansas City metro area was up 0.2 percent to 5.2 percent in October, compared to 4.9 percent a year ago.

Lawrence added nearly 1,200 jobs in October, with employment at a record level of 57,500. The increase was associated with nonteaching positions returning to Kansas University. Unemployment rose by less than 100, standing at 2,500.

Jefferson County’s unemployment rate was at 4.3 percent. Franklin County had a 4.7 percent jobless rate while Leavenworth County was at 5.4 percent.