Payrolls Increased in 35 U.S. States in November, Led by Florida

The U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged in November at 5.0 percent.

The state added 15,300 jobs in November compared with a year ago, but the number of people employed fell by 6,606. The largest gains were made in trade, transportation and utilities, which added a total of 9,800 jobs. The number of unemployed in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area grew from 60,900 in October to 66,200 in November.

The state’s six best job-creation months have come during 2015, the second year since SC returned to pre-recession employment levels.

West Virginia’s unemployment rate, which had been the highest, fell to 6.5 percent from 6.9 percent.

With most signs pointing to strength in the labor market, analysts have suggested the focus should be on inflation, which is now below the Fed’s 2 percent target. Policy makers separately forecast an appropriate rate of 1.375 percent at the end of 2016, the same as September, implying four quarter-point increases in the target range next year, based on the median number from 17 officials.

Michigan’s jobless rate inched up in November as more previously idle participants returned to the workforce seeking jobs.

San Joaquin County reported the lowest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, up from a revised 8.1 percent in October.

The local city and county unemployment rates will be released on Tuesday.

“We can only add jobs at the rate we are adding workers to fill them”, he said.

The overall statewide unemployment rate stood at 5.7 percent, down from 5.8 percent in October and the nationwide rate stood at 4.8 percent.

David Kern, chief economist on the British Chambers of Commerce, stated: “That is an encouraging pre-Christmas set of figures, with employment rising to a report excessive, unemployment falling, and inactivity declining”.