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The latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics* showed 22 states recording measurably lower unemployment rates than the national average -- 7.2 percent -- in December 2008. Since December 2007, employment has risen in eight states and the District of Columbia. Wyoming had the largest increase in employment over the year (2.2 percent), followed by Texas, Oklahoma, Alaska and South Dakota. Below are 22 states where you might want to start your job search, as they have lower unemployment rates than the national average:

1. Wyoming 3.4% Total employment: 293,900 Mean annual salary: $36,110**
2. North Dakota 3.5% Total employment: 371,500 Mean annual salary: $33,650
3. South Dakota 3.9% Total employment: 445,900 Mean annual salary: $31,540
4. Nebraska 4.0% Total employment: 997,600 Mean annual salary: $35,270
5. Utah 4.3% Total employment: 1,383,000 Mean annual salary: $37,080
6. Iowa 4.6% Total employment: 1,671,900 Mean annual salary: $34,650
7. New Hampshire 4.6% Total employment: 739,500 Mean annual salary: $40,780
8. New Mexico 4.9% Total employment: 966,100 Mean annual salary: $35,790
9. Oklahoma 4.9% Total employment: 1,768,900 Mean annual salary: $33,720
10. West Virginia 4.9% Total employment: 800,000 Mean annual salary: $32,310
11. Kansas 5.2% Total employment: 1,506,600 Mean annual salary: $36,300
12. Montana 5.4% Total employment: 505,700 Mean annual salary: $32,640
13. Virginia 5.4% Total employment: 4,159,500 Mean annual salary: $42,880
14. Hawaii 5.5% Total employment: 661,700 Mean annual salary: $40,200
15. Maryland 5.8% Total employment: 2,995,600 Mean annual salary: $45,780
16. Louisiana 5.9% Total employment: 2,061,100 Mean annual salary: $34,060
17. Texas 6.0% Total employment: 11,853,800 Mean annual salary: $37,880
18. Colorado 6.1% Total employment: 2,750,100 Mean annual salary: $43,100
19. Arkansas 6.2% Total employment: 1,370,300 Mean annual salary: $32,450
20. Delaware 6.2% Total employment: 445,300 Mean annual salary: $43,020
21. Wisconsin 6.2% Total employment: 3,094,300 Mean annual salary: $38,070
22. Vermont 6.4% Total employment: 356,900 Mean annual salary: $38,060

The latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics* showed six states recording rates of 9 percent or more. Overall, 10 states had significantly higher jobless rates than the average and 18 had similar rates. Michigan recorded the highest unemployment rate at 10.6 percent, followed closely by Rhode Island at 10.0 percent.

The largest numerical decrease in employment since November 2008 was in California, which lost 78,200 jobs, followed by Michigan, New York, Illinois, Indiana and North Carolina, respectively. Idaho saw the largest percentage cut in employment since December 2008 (1.6 percent), followed by Michigan, Hawaii and Indiana.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia had considerable jobless rate increases since December 2007. Rhode Island had the highest rate increase over the year (4.5 percent), followed by Arizona and Idaho (4.3 percentage points each), Michigan (4.1 percentage point each) and Indiana (3.7 percent). Nine other states and the District of Columbia recorded increases of 3 percentage points or more since December 2007 and 36 states had smaller, but still significant, increases.

Here are 15 states with unemployment rates higher than the national average and that have seen momentous rate increases since last year. If you're having trouble finding a job and you live in one of the following states, know that you might not be the (only) reason behind your unemployment:

1. Michigan ... 10.6%
December 2007: 7.4% Over-the-year rate change: 3.2% Mean annual salary: $42,210
2. Rhode Island ... 10.0%
December 2007: 5.2% Over-the-year rate change: 4.8% Mean annual salary: $42,210
3. South Carolina ... 9.5%
December 2007: 6.2% Over-the-year rate change: 3.3% Mean annual salary: $34,650
4. California ... 9.3%
December 2007: 5.9% Over-the-year rate change: 3.4% Mean annual salary: $45,990
5. Nevada ... 9.1%
December 2007: 5.2% Over-the-year rate change: 3.9% Mean annual salary: $16,750
6. Oregon ... 9.0%
December 2007: 5.4% Over-the-year rate change: 3.6% Mean annual salary: $40,040
7. District of Columbia ... 8.8%
December 2007: 5.7% Over-the-year rate change: 3.1% Mean annual salary: $64,150
8. North Carolina ... 8.7%
December 2007: 4.7% Over-the-year rate change: 4.0% Mean annual salary: $36,900
9. Florida ... 8.1%
December 2007: 4.5% Over-the-year rate change: 3.6% Mean annual salary: $37,260
10. Georgia ... 8.1%
December 2007: 4.5% Over-the-year rate change: 3.6% Mean annual salary: $38,320
11. Mississippi ... 8.0%
December 2007: 6.3% Over-the-year rate change: 1.7% Mean annual salary: $31,730
12. Tennessee ... 7.9%
December 2007: 5.0% Over-the-year rate change: 2.9% Mean annual salary: $35,380
13. Kentucky ... 7.8%
December 2007: 5.1% Over-the-year rate change: 1.9% Mean annual salary: $34,950
14. Ohio ... 7.8%
December 2007: 5.8% Over-the-year rate change: 2.0% Mean annual salary: $38,640
15. Illinois ... 7.6%
December 2007: 5.3% Over-the-year rate change: 2.3% Mean annual salary: $43,050

*Most recent numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Jan. 27, 2009.
**Mean annual salary per state, according to the Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2007, Bureau of Labor Statistics.