(RALEIGH) -- Fewer people were unemployed in November across North Carolina.  The State Division of Employment Security released figures on Tuesday showing the jobless rate was down to 10 percent in November.  This is an improvement over October's 10.4 percent rate.

“The drop in the unemployment rate was significant,” said N.C. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll. “However, the focus must remain on growing jobs in our state. The private sector has experienced moderate growth over the past year."

Total nonfarm jobs grew slightly by 3,800 in November with the private sector gaining 4,600 jobs. The public sector shed 800 jobs.

North Carolina's unemployment rate still remain above the national jobless rate of 8.6 percent.