Nonfarm payroll jobs in Coloradodecreased by 4,500 from October to November to 2,247,600 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Government declined by 1,600 payroll jobs and the private sector declined by 2,900.

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate decreased one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.0 percent. The number of people actively participating in the labor force increased 17,600 to 2,715,200 and total employment increased 21,100 to 2,499,000 causing the number of unemployed to decline 3,500. The national unemployment rate declined four-tenths of one percentage point over the same period to 8.6 percent.

Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls decreased from 34.5 to 34.4 hours and average hourly earnings increased from $23.86 to $24.19.

The largest over the month private sector job gains in November were in professional and business services. The largest declines were in trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, and financial activities.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 25,500 with an increase of 27,300 in the private sector and a decrease of 1,800 in government. The largest private sector job gains were in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and education and health services. The largest declines were in construction, financial activities, and information.

Over the year, the unemployment rate is down nine-tenths of one percentage point from 8.9 percent in November 2010. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 45,000, total employment increased 66,300 and the number of unemployed decreased 21,300. The national unemployment rate declined from 9.8 to 8.6 percent from November 2010 to November 2011.

All Colorado estimates from the establishment and household surveys, including greater geographic detail, are available at: http://lmigateway.coworkforce.com/lmigateway. Estimates for all states and the nation are available at: http://www.bls.gov.

The December 2011 Colorado Employment Situation will be released on Tuesday, January 24,

Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates are based on a survey of business establishments and government agencies, and are intended to measure the number of jobs, not the number of people employed. Other series based on this survey include private sector average weekly hours, average hourly earnings and average weekly earnings.

The unemployment rate, labor force, labor force participation, total employment and the number of unemployed are based on a survey of households. The total employment estimate derived from this survey is intended to measure the number of people employed.

The business establishment survey covers about seven times the number of households surveyed and is therefore considered a more reliable indicator of economic conditions. Because the estimates are based on two separate surveys, one measuring jobs by worksite and the other measuring employment and unemployment by household, estimates based on these surveys may provide seemingly conflicting results.