Arizona's unemployment rate was at 4.3 percent for November
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's unemployment rate dropped to 4.3 percent last month, down from 4.5 percent in September.
The rate remains well above the national unemployment rate, which remained at 4.2 percent for the second consecutive month.
A year ago, Arizona's unemployment rate was 5 percent and the U.S. rate was 4.6 percent.
The state Office of Economic Opportunity reported Thursday that Arizona's economy added 29,500 nonfarm jobs in November. That's up from 18,700 jobs in October.
In all, nine of 11 sectors added jobs led by 15,300 new jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities category.
The state and national figures are adjusted to take out expected seasonal fluctuations.