HELENA (AP) — Montana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent in September while the national rate moved up a tenth of a percentage point to 5 percent.

Labor Commissioner Pam Bucy says Montana’s rate falls in the ideal range that provides a balance between good job opportunities and increasing wages for workers while businesses are still able to find the employees they need.

Just over 22,000 Montana residents were unemployed in September.