(RALEIGH) -- The number of people employed in North Carolina increased slightly in September as the unemployment rate dropped to 10.4 percent. That is according to the latest figures released on Tuesday by the North Carolina Division of Employment Security.

“The data reflects that private sector employment grew this month, as it has done in 8 of the 10 past months, and that there was a modest decline in the unemployment rate, but there is still a great deal of work ahead,” said Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security Assistant Secretary Lynn R. Holmes. “None of us will be satisfied until every North Carolinian who wants a job has one.”

Total nonfarm jobs grew by 5,500 in October with the private sector gaining 700 of those jobs. Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm industry employment increased by 5,500 to 3,871,300 in October.

North Carolina's unemployment rate remains well above the national average of 9.0 percent.