Ohio added more jobs last month than any other state, topping Texas for growth in nonfarm payroll employment, according to a report Friday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Private and government employers added 28,300 jobs in Ohio last month, up from 25,000 in January. That was the largest month-to-month gain in employment since April and May of 2010, when the state added 14,000 and 14,900 jobs, respectively, according to the state jobs department.

The job figures, based on a survey of employers, are preliminary and subject to revision. But officials say the numbers are evidence that the jobs recovery is gaining momentum.

“One reason we think the job growth was so strong last month was the mild weather,” which could have added more jobs in construction and other areas, said Angela Terez, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The increase in jobs coincides with a slight decline in Ohio’s jobless rate to 7.6 percent last month, from 7.7 percent in January.

Nationwide, the unemployment rate stayed level last month at 8.3 percent, while the economy added 227,000 jobs.

Overall, 42 states and Washington, D.C., added jobs in February, but only 29 states saw their unemployment rates decline.

Still, the bureau report Friday showed that every state except New York saw its unemployment rate decrease last month compared to the same period a year ago.

The jobless rate in Ohio has declined for seven straight months.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2437 or rtucker@DaytonDaily News.com.