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Arizona unemployment rate drops to 5 percent in November

Posted at 12:24 PM, Dec 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-15 14:24:14-05

Arizona's unemployment rate dropped in November for the fourth straight month.

A state Department of Administration report released Thursday says the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate's dropped to 5 percent in November from 5.2 percent in October.

The rate was 5.9 percent in November 2015.

The department says November's gain of 16,800 nonfarm jobs was less than the post-recession average gain of 28,100 jobs.

Most of the additional jobs were in the private sector, with the trade, transportation and utilities sector adding 9,800 jobs for the biggest increase, followed by professional and business services with 5,200 additional jobs and leisure hospitality adding 5,000 jobs.

Construction had the biggest loss at 2,600 fewer jobs, while the other services sector lost 1,700 jobs.

Overall, five economic sectors gained jobs, five lost jobs and one stayed even.