The unemployment rate in South Carolina fell .3 percent in November, marking the fourth consecutive month of improvement in the state's jobless situation.

That leaves South Carolina's unemployment rate at 8.3 percent, down from October's 8.6 rate, and tracking the national trend.

The national unemployment rate fell in November to 7.7 percent from October's 7.9 rate, but on the back of a 350,000 drop in the labor force.

In South Carolina, the number of unemployed people fell in November and the number of employed people rose, while the state's labor force also ticked up slightly to 2.1 million people.

“This is the fourth consecutive month the state’s unemployment rate decreased," said Abraham J. Turner, S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce executive director. "This month is especially encouraging as the number of our fellow South Carolinians finding employment increased, and the number of unemployed fell to the lowest level of the year. Looking back at the year as a whole, we have seen an increase of approximately 33,000 jobs statewide."