ST. PAUL, Minn. (KEYC) – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says despite the state adding jobs in November, the unemployment rate rose slightly last month.

Minnesota added 2,500 jobs and its labor force grew by more than 4,600 workers in November, according to data released Thursday by DEED,which says Minnesota has added jobs nine of the last 12 months.

Minnesota’s unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.5%, lower than the national rate of 4.2%, which also rose at the same rate. The labor force participation rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 67.8% over the month, compared to 62.5% nationally – a decline over the month before.

Four supersectors in Minnesota gained jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, led by strong gains in Construction (up 2,800 jobs, or 2.1%), a reversal of four prior months of seasonally adjusted job losess . Education and Health Services (up 4,900 jobs), Government (800 jobs) and Other Services (400 jobs) also added employees. Six supersectors lost jobs over the month, led by Professional & Business Services (down 1,900 jobs or 0.5%).

Over the year, Minnesota gained 33,458 payroll jobs, up 1.1%. The private sector gained 16,169 jobs, up 0.6%.

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