The unemployment rate in both Maryland and Virginia remains below the national average, according to preliminary figures released Friday.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics released preliminary figures on Friday, showing Maryland's November jobless rate at 6.6 percent, down from October's 6.7 percent. However, state officials also said that Maryland lost 3,100 jobs.
Gov. Martin O'Malley called the report disappointing, but pointed out that 25,400 more Marylanders are working today than at this time last year.
Virginia's jobless rate fell slightly in November for the second consecutive month.
The Virginia Employment Commission says the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.6 percent last month, down from 5.7 percent in October and 6.2 percent a year ago. In November, the number of people who reported working exceeded the number of unemployed Virginians, which expanded the labor force.
Virginia's unemployment rate has been trending down since January 2010, when joblessness peaked at 7.3 percent. It had fallen to a three-year low earlier this year and increased during June and July in a pattern similar to last year. The rate fell in October after remaining steady for three consecutive months.
The national average fell to 7.7 percent in November.
