The unemployment rate took a slight dip in November and remained below the year-ago estimate, according to the latest data from the Employment Development Department.

Stanislaus County had an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent in November. That was down from the seasonally adjusted rate of 6.9 percent posted in October and below the year-ago estimate of 8.1 percent.

Job growth in a few sectors, particularly those in service areas, balanced out the job losses in sectors that typically see significant drops as the year comes to a close.

The Farming sector recorded the largest drop in jobs, with an estimated 1,100 fewer jobs in November, according to the EDD. The sector historically sees dramatic declines during this time of year, because the harvest season has ended and many fields go dormant.

Other sectors that recorded job losses for the month were Manufacturing, which dropped an estimated 600 jobs in November, primarily in food processing; and Mining, Logging and Construction, which reported a drop of around 300 jobs.

The sector posting the largest jobs gains in November was Trade, Transportation and Utilities, which added an estimated 900 jobs. The sector, which includes retail, typically sees an increase in November and December as stores and distribution centers have to hire more for the holiday season.

Leisure and Hospitality reported a job gain of approximately 400 jobs for the month. Other sectors that reported job growth were Professional and Business Services (300); Educational and Health Services (200); and Government (100).

In Stanislaus County there were an estimated 226,400 people employed and approximately 14,900 unemployed, according to the EDD.

California had an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent, while the nation's was at 3.9 percent for the same time period.

Turlock had an unemployment rate of 5 percent for November. Denair came in at 5.8 percent and Keyes was at 7.6 percent.

The EDD released data regarding the online job vacancies and the companies looking to hire for the month of November. The top 10 positions with the most job ads for the month in Stanislaus County were: Registered nurses - 645, which was down by 15 from the month prior; heavy and tractor-trailer drivers - 509, which was an increase of one from the previous month; retail salespersons - 412, which was down by three from October ; first-line supervisors of retail sales workers - 281, which was a decrease of three from October; customer service representatives - 250, which was up by 15 from the month prior; sales representatives wholesale and manufacturing except scientific and technical products - 230, which dropped by three from October; laborer and freight, stock and material movers - 216, which rose by six for the month; managers - 209, which stayed the same; medical and health services managers - 178, which rose by 17 for the month; and combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food – 177, which was down by one.

The top 10 companies posting the most online job vacancies in Stanislaus County in November were: Anthem Blue Cross - 519, up by three; Yosemite Community College District — 312, up by 133; California State University, Stanislaus - 251, up by 114; Sutter Health - 235, up by 15; Tenet Health System - 219, up by 21; The Save Mart Companies - 139, up by one; E & J Gallo Winery — 124, up by two; Kaiser Permanente - 101, up by one; Amazon - 101, down by nine; and Doctors Medical Center of Modesto - 95, down by 18.