New Mexico lost 27,800 jobs in the past year, and October's unemployment rate was the highest in 21 years.

The state Department of Workforce Solutions said Tuesday that nearly 8 percent of New Mexicans were out of work, compared to 4.5 percent in October of 2008.

Last month's 7.9 percent unemployment rate was up from 7.7 percent in September and represents a loss of 1,600 jobs since September.

The professional and business services sector was hardest hit, losing 2,500 jobs since last month, while the construction industry saw 1,100 jobs disappear.

Government jobs in New Mexico grew from September, gaining 3,200 state and federal employees, a majority of them in education.

In Santa Fe, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.9 percent, up from 6.7 percent from September. That represents 100 lost jobs, which the state attributes to "declines in information (jobs) and leisure and hospitality combined with a small increase in the educational and health services industry."

Since last year, the capital city has lost 3,000 jobs, according to the department.

"The Santa Fe job market has been weak for about two years, but the recent data are especially disappointing," the monthly report from the department states. "Previously, job growth had alternated between positive and negative territory, mostly staying close to the zero line. Employment totals have, however, taken a sharp turn for the worse since the start of the year."

The increased number of people reaching out to the state for help has meant more work at the department formerly known as the Department of Labor.

"We have seen a steady increase of people filing unemployment insurance claims, and they are then continuing with the system because it lasts longer," spokeswoman Carrie Moritomo said.

Under new law, claimants can get up to 86 weeks of benefits, she said.

To help deal with the influx of claimants, the department has made changes at its offices, including upgrading its mainframe system.

Nationally, the October unemployment rate was 10.2 percent, or 15.7 million people.

Michigan, Nevada and Rhode Island had the top three highest jobless rates.

Since September, 29 states and the District of Columbia showed unemployment rate increases, while 13 states had rate decreases. Eight states had no change, according to numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.