Utah unemployment numbers below national average

Utah's unemployment rate of 4.6 percent is again below the national average of 7.3 percent, with all private-sector industries showing steady growth.

"Utah is second only to North Dakota in private sector job creation. That matters because, unlike North Dakota, a state reliant on a single sector, Utah boasts a diverse and robust economy," said Gov. Gary Herbert. "Bottom line: Utah continues to add jobs and that means more and more Utah families are making their way out of economic distress and finding employment."

In October of this year, the state added 27,000 more jobs than it did the same month last year, growing at a rate of 2.2 percent. The biggest gains were in trade, transportation and utilities and leisure and hospitality. The only sector not growing is government.

"The October employment numbers have moderated, influenced by the federal shutdown and continued uncertainty at the national level. Utah's economy is still expanding and the unemployment rate is well below the national average," said Chief Economist Juliette Tennert.