Mississippi labor officials say the state made progress last year in regaining lost jobs following the 2008 economic meltdown.

The Department of Employment Security reported Wednesday that Mississippi gained 3,600 non-farm jobs in 2010. That puts the state down 3,700 jobs from December 2008, about three months after the economic freefall began. The count rose by 700 last month.

But manufacturing lost 3,400 jobs last year, while construction shed 2,000 jobs. The biggest gainers included trade, transportation and utilities, the widespread sector of professional-business services, health and education and leisure-hospitality.

Mississippi’s unemployment rate in December was 10.1 percent, up slightly from 10 percent in November.