(RALEIGH) -- North Carolina's jobless rate dropped slightly in September, reflecting a trend of gradual improvement throughout the year.

Tim Crowley with the Department of Commerce says the new figure of 9.6% is a big improvement over January's 10.2% figure.

"Well I think you've seen a trend over the year of slow recovery on the unemployment rate. Over the year the unemployment rate has dropped over by more than a percentage point. We've seen some recovery from earlier in the year as well."

Crowley says 29,000 North Carolinians found new jobs last month. The national unemployment rate is 7.8%.