Virginia’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.6% in October making it a full percentage point lowerr than the national rate. A year ago Virginia’s unemployment was 6.1%. The Commonwealth’s labor force participation rate rose to 63% which is also above the national rate. Virginia nonfarm employers added 19,400 jobs in October. Over-the-year job gains were 2%. Biggest job gains were in leisure and hospitality followed by professional and business services. Government experienced the third-largest over-the-year job gain.