Rhode Island was one of only five states nationally and the District of Columbia to post a higher unemployment rate in February than the national average.

Rhode Island’s rate of 5.8 percent, with 33,400 residents out of work, was also the highest in New England, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Rhode Island’s jobless rate for March is scheduled to be reported on Friday.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in February and 5.1 percent last month.

The New England unemployment rate, at 4.6 percent in February, was unchanged over the month.

The New England unemployment rate, which was essentially unchanged over the year, has remained within the 4.4- to 4.7- percent range since February 2005; The national rate was up from 4.5 percent a year earlier.

In February, two New England states posted jobless rates different from the national average.

New Hampshire posted the lowest unemployment rate of 3.7 percent.

Among other New England states jobless rates ranged from 4.3 percent in Vermont to 5 percent in Connecticut, but statistically, none of these rates differed significantly from the national rate. Massachusetts’ rate was 4.5 percent.

Over the year, two New England states posted measurable unemployment rate increases, Connecticut, up 0.6 percentage point, and Rhode Island, up 0.9 percentage point; the remaining New England states posted jobless rates in February that were not measurably different from those of a year earlier

The Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled the data from the Local Area and Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, which produces monthly and annual employment, unemployment, and labor force data for Census regions and divisions, states, counties, metropolitan areas, and many cities, by place of residence.