Michigan's unemployment rate dropped by 0.2 percent in October, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

The state's total employment increased by 11,000 jobs, and unemployment decreased by 13,000 jobs. This didn't have much of an impact on the job outlook statewide, the department reported.

Although down this month, the jobless rate is higher than it was in October 2005. It was 6.4 percent at that time. In October 2006, the rate was 6.9 percent.

"While sizable gains have been made in several service sector industries, the state continues to be hampered by auto-industry job losses," said Rick Waclawek, director of DLEG's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, in a press release.

The unemployment rate hasn't changed significantly in the last four months.

Michigan's unemployment rate is higher than the national unemployment rate, which was 4.4 percent in October.