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Pa. reports largest drop in jobless rate since '83

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is reporting the biggest monthly drop in joblessness in nearly 30 years, although a separate survey of employers in November showed only a slight increase in payrolls.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday the unemployment rate dropped to 7.8 percent from 8.1 percent, the largest drop since 1983. It was the second monthly drop after a six-month run-up.

The national unemployment rate is 7.7 percent.

A survey of Pennsylvania employers found payrolls inched up by 1,900, hovering around 5.75 million nonfarm jobs.

A separate survey of Pennsylvania households found that the number of unemployed dropped by 16,000. Employment rose by 22,000 and the number of people working or seeking work grew by 6,000.

Pennsylvania's jobless rate hit a recessionary peak of 8.7 percent in 2010.