Kansas reports that its unemployment rate remained at 4.2 percent in February and that employment by private companies grew over the previous year.

The state Department of Labor’s report Friday means that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was the same for three consecutive months. It compares to a rate of 4.6 percent for February 2014.

The department said 1.14 million Kansas residents held private-sector, nonfarm jobs in February, up 17,100 from February 2014. The growth rate was 1.5 percent.

Figures released month-to-month last year showed an average growth rate of 1.3 percent. More comprehensive data released earlier this month put the actual rate for 2014 at 1.9 percent.

The most robust over-the-year growth was in leisure and hospitality. It saw employment grow 3.5 percent to nearly 126,000 in February.