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Total job growth was 2.7 percent over the past year, down from 3.7 percent previously.

(Oregonian file photo)

Oregon's jobless rate fell to 5.0 percent last month, down from 5.3 percent in October, but the pace of hiring has slowed.

The Oregon Employment Department says total job growth was 2.7 percent over the past year, down from 3.7 percent in October. Oregon is still expanding much faster than the nation, which added jobs at a 1.6 percent rate in November.

The national unemployment rate hit a nine-year low in November, at 4.6 percent.

Oregon added 2,500 net jobs in November, down from the average annual gain of 4,400 in the prior 12 months. Hiring was strongest last month in professional and business services, construction and financial activities. But retail jobs fell by 2,200.

A broad measure of unemployment, called the U-6 or "underemployment" rate, fell to 10.1 percent last month from 10.4 percent. It's down from 11.1 percent in November 2015.

-- Mike Rogoway

mrogoway@oregonian.com

503-294-7699

@rogoway