The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) announced today that Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for November is 3.4 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is up 0.1 percentage points over the month and 0.4 percentage points over the November 2015 rate.

"While unemployment rose slightly in November, the state continues to see strong growth in the nonfarm employment sector," said Commissioner of Labor John H. Albin. "Total nonfarm employment reached a new high, as did trade, transportation, and utilities; information; professional and business services; and education and health services."

Nonfarm employment grew by 6,455 over the month and by 11,268 over the year. Private industries with the most growth year over year were education and health services (up 3,331), professional and business services (up 3,045), and leisure and hospitality (up 2,193). Month to month, the largest gains were seen in trade, transporation and utilities (up 4,608); professional and business services (up 1,416); and education and health services (up 830).

The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November was 4.6 percent, down 0.3 percentage points over the month and down 0.4 percentage points from the November 2015 rate of 5.0 percent. December 2016 data will be published Friday, January 20.