Charleston, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia's employment picture is improving as construction, government and other fields gain jobs.

Workforce West Virginia said Monday that the state's unemployment rate declined by three-tenths of a percentage point in October to 7.7 percent.

The number of jobless residents fell by 2,700 to 60,900.

The service-providing sector gained 4,400 jobs and the goods-producing sector added 100 jobs.

Construction gained 800 jobs, which offset a loss of 600 jobs in mining and logging and 100 jobs in manufacturing.

Government employment rose by 4,600 jobs and educational and health services added 1,000 jobs.

These and other gains offset a loss of 1,700 jobs in leisure and hospitality, 200 in other services and 100 in information.

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