Joblessness in Snohomish County increases again, to 10.3 percent.

Unemployment continued to rise in Snohomish County in February, climbing slightly to 10.3 percent, the state Employment Security Department reported Thursday.

The jobless rate also rose in January. Initially estimated at 10.1 percent, it was increased to 10.2 percent, mostly due to retailers dropping workers hired for the Christmas holidays.

Retailers continued to cut staff in February, laying off 400 workers in the county, state officials said.

“Every year, retailers provide temporary jobs during the holiday season,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, a regional labor economist for employment security. “January and February are two months frequently characterized by workforce reductions in the retail trade industry. This year was no different.”

The trade, transportation and utilities sector dropped 500 workers locally last month. Finance and insurance also lost jobs.

Most other sectors remained flat in February.

One of the few employment areas adding jobs was aerospace, which added 100 workers last month and 2,800 during the past year. Leisure and hospitality added workers, as did private education and health services businesses.

“Educational, health and social services is one sector that has weathered the storm rather well, however growth has been slow in recent months,” Vance-Sherman said. “Growth in this sector could be described as slow, steady and disciplined throughout 2009 and 2010 and into 2011.”

State and local government also added positions, almost exclusively in the schools.

Vance-Sherman noted that initial claims for unemployment benefits dropped in February after rising in November, December and January. There were 5,306 claims in February, down from 6,601 in January. Initial claims hit their peak in December 2008 when 10,501 people sought benefits.

Continued claims also fell last month, from 14,391 in January to 13,175 in February. Final claims dropped from 1,052 to 826.

The largest share of employment claims continued to be in contruction-related fields, one of the hardest hit by the recession, Vance-Sherman said. Other areas with lots of people out of work included transportation and material moving, office and administrative support, production and sales, she said.