Here’s a bit of good news: Colorado’s unemployment rate in October dipped to the lowest it has been in almost five years. The latest figures released by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment show the Centennial State’s unemployment decreased one tenth of a percentage point to 6.8 percent. Here, a look at a few of the numbers in the latest report.

2,371,900

Number of nonfarm payroll jobs in Colorado, which was up 1,500 in October when compared with September.

2,100

Increase in private sector payroll jobs in October when compared with September.

600

Decrease in government sector jobs in October when compared with September.

7,400

Decrease in the number of people who reported themselves employed.

7.3 percent

The national unemployment rate, which is down from 7.9 percent in October 2012.

7.7 percent

Colorado’s unemployment rate in October 2012.

$25.72

Average hourly earnings, which increased from $24.61 in October of the previous year.

45,600

Increase in nonfarm payroll jobs in Colorado in October 2013 when compared to October of the previous year. Of those jobs, 38,600 were from the private sector and 7,000 were government jobs.

—Image courtesy of Shutterstock