The unemployment rate went down two-tenths of a percent in Oklahoma from August to September to 4.4 percent. New employment is not the reason for the drop. According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, civilian labor force numbers declined in Oklahoma.

There were 5,800 less people in the labor force in September than there were in August but numbers are still up over 2014, with 50,000 more workers than a year ago. The largest employment gains were in education and health care. Oil and gas jobs had the most losses in September, losing 1,600 jobs for the month and 11,000 over the past year.