A new report from the N.C. Department of Commerce says North Carolina’s October unemployment rate has decreased since September.

According to the report, North Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped from 9.6 percent in September to 9.3 percent in October. North Carolina’s 9.3 percent rate is also lower than last year’s October rate of 10.6 percent.

At 9.3 percent, North Carolina’s unemployment rate is still 1.4 percent higher than the United State’s 7.9 percent rate.

During October, North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate increased .4 percent to 62.7 percent.

The report detailed which major industries in North Carolina had increased in October.

According to the report, nonfarm employment has increased in North Carolina by 8,000 jobs over the month, and by 35,700 jobs over the year to 3,964,800.

The report also said “food remains North Carolina’s leading sector in manufacturing employment at 53,100. Chemical follows with 42,700.”

“The major sectors to report over-the-year seasonally adjusted job increases were: trade, transportation and utilities, 11,700; leisure and hospitality services, 10,800; professional and business services, 9,100; education and health services, 6,600; manufacturing, 5,000; financial activities, 1,600; and information, 1,000,” said the report.

Even with these increases, information from the N.C. Department of Commerce shows decreased employment in several major industries in October 2012 compared to October 2007 and 2002.

Wood product, fabricated metal product, machinery, computers and electric product, electrical equipment and appliances, transportation equipment, food, beverages and tobacco product, textile mills, textile product mills, apparel manufacturing, printing, chemical, and plastics and rubber all show a decrease in the size of their labor forces from five and 10 years ago.

“Of North Carolina’s six largest manufacturing industries in October 2007, all have experienced job losses. Textile mills has lost 15,100 jobs; furniture and related product, 15,100; computer and electronic product, 6,500; fabricated metal product, 6,400; food, 2,200; and chemical, 1,800,” said the report.

The report from the N.C. Department of Commerce also shows average hourly earnings in North Carolina for manufacturing production workers increased by 3 cents in October to $16.58. However, average weekly hours fell 36 minutes causing weekly earnings to decreased by $8.71 on average.