SAN DIEGO —— San Diego was one of three top metropolitan markets in the country for growth in online job recruitment in August, according to a report released Thursday by Monster Worldwide Inc.

According to the Monster Local Employment Index —— which tracks online job demand in 28 metropolitan areas —— San Diego, Minneapolis and Seattle registered the greatest month-to-month increases in online job availability.

Online job recruitment rose in 24 of the 28 surveyed metropolitan areas in August, suggesting a broad increase in business activity and expansion throughout much of the country, according to the index.

Demand was greatest in sales, legal, business and financial, and administrative support areas, according to the index.