Minnesota’s unemployment rate nudged up to a seasonally adjusted 3.8 percent in August as employers cut jobs, although it remains significantly better than the nation’s 4.4 percent rate.

The uptick from 3.7 percent in July came as the state lost 6,600 jobs in August; the number of jobs gained in July was revised and cut by 5,100 positions, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development said Thursday. Minnesota has gained 49,695 jobs over the past 12 months, an increase of 1.7 percent compared to a 1.5 percent U.S. rate.

“The state’s labor market remains fundamentally strong, outpacing the country in over-the-year job growth for the fourth consecutive month in August,” said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. “Nine of our 11 major industrial sectors have added jobs in the past 12 months.”

Industries that gained jobs in August included trade, transportation and utilities (up 3,200), manufacturing (up 800), and professional and business services (up 800).

Sectors that lost jobs included leisure and hospitality (down 6,400), and education and health services (down 5,300).

— MPR News editor Bill Catlin contributed to this report.