State employment at pre-recession level

Missouri’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent in November, the lowest rate since May 2008.

The state department of economic development announced the rate today.

Last month the state also added 4,500 jobs to its non-farm employment.

There were 3,000 new jobs to manufacturing, 2,300 in professional and business services and 1,500 in transportation, warehousing and utilities, officials said.

Missouri’s non-farm payrolls have increased by 42,200 jobs over the past year.