WASHINGTON — The number of people applying for U.S. unemployment benefits rose last week after falling to a 14-year low the previous week. Despite the increase, weekly applications remain at historically low levels that suggest hiring is gaining steam.

Applications rose 17,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 283,000, the Labor Department said today. That is the sixth straight reading below 300,000. Applications have fallen 19 percent in the past year.

The figures indicate that recent signs of slowing growth overseas and last week’s financial market volatility haven’t spooked employers. Most appear confident enough to hold onto their staffs.

“More encouraging news on the U.S. job front,” said Jennifer Lee, an economist at BMO Capital Markets. The report “shows that job creation continued to forge ahead in October.”