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HELENA- State labor officials say that despite adding 1,300 jobs over the last month, Montana's unemployment rate went up by 0.2% to sit at 6.3% for May. The bump was caused by more people looking for work.

"The 1,300 job gain in May is the largest amount of jobs added in a month since before the recession. However, more job openings and better economic conditions have encouraged many people to enter the labor market. The increase in the labor force resulted in an increase in the unemployment rate," Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly explained.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers fell 0.3 points in May, largely due to a 6.8% decline in gasoline prices.

The highest unemployment rates in the state were once again found in Western Montana. Lincoln County say a 13.2% jobless rate, followed by Sanders County at 12.8%.