RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina's unemployment rate fell for the second consecutive month in April, dropping to 4.3 percent from 4.5 percent in March, the state Employment Security Commission said Friday.

The rate was 4.6 percent in February.

The state's jobless rate has been lower than the national average for the past four months.

"Employment in North Carolina has increased by nearly 117,500 since this time last year," said ESC Chairman Harry Payne Jr. "North Carolina's economy has certainly gained momentum over the past year as both businesses and employment continue to grow."

Seasonally adjusted employment rose to 4,206,219 in April, up 22,688.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment fell to 189,826, down 5,410.