Rhode Island posted the highest jobless rate among all states in September at 8.8%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Michigan reported the second-highest at 8.7%.

Eight other states registered unemployment rates of 7.0% or more. They included Mississippi, 7.8%; California, 7.7%; Nevada, 7.3%, South Carolina, 7.3%; Ohio, 7.2%; Tennessee, 7.2%; Kentucky, 7.1%; and North Carolina, 7.0%. The District of Columbia's jobless rate was also 7.0%.

The state with the lowest unemployment rate was again South Dakota at 3.2%. It was followed by Wyoming at 3.3%.

Year over year, 47 states and the District of Columbia reported higher jobless rates, and three reported lower rates.