Topeka ? The state unemployment rate in October was 6.4 percent, down from 6.8 percent in September.

Despite the improvement, officials said the figures weren’t cause for optimism.

“Kansas continued to experience a weak labor market in October,” said Inayat Noormohmad, with the Kansas Department of Labor.

“We have seen limited over-the-month growth, however, over-the-year job losses remain significant. While we’re seeing improvements in some economic indicators, we know recovery in the job markets remains uncertain for the near future,” Noormohmad said.

The unemployment rate in October 2008 was 4.3 percent.

Kansas businesses have lost 57,700 jobs over the year with the largest losses occuring in the manufacturing sector.

There were 22,815 initial claims for unemployment benefits in October, up from 17,501 initial claims for September. And there were 163,744 continued claims for unemployment benefits in October, down from 180,202 continued claims in September.

Regionally, the unemployment rates ranged from 3.6 percent in the Manhattan area to 7.9 percent in the Wichita area. The jobless rate was 4.7 percent in Douglas County.