Unemployment Rate Dips in October

Washington, DC, Nov. 4, 2011 -- The unemployment rate fell to 9%, a six-month low, as non-farm payrolls rose by 80,000 in October, according to the Labor Department.

Nonfarm payrolls rose 80,000 last month, the Labor Department said on Friday, missing economists' expectations for a gain of 95,000.

In addition, August and September were revised to show 102,000 more jobs than previously reported.

Last month, private employers added 104,000 workers, offsetting a drop in government payrolls of 24,000. Public employment has fallen nearly every month this year.

In the private sector, job gains last month were widespread across industries, although construction fell 10,000 after a surprise addition of 29,000 jobs in September.

Manufacturing payrolls rose 5,000 after a slight decline in September. In the service sector, retail employment rose 17,800, adding to the prior month's gains.