AUGUSTA - Maine's unemployment rate dropped by one-tenth of a percentage point in February to 4.8 percent.

The state Labor Department says Maine's preliminary jobless rate matched the national unemployment rate for February at 4.8 percent.

Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman says that while Maine's unemployment rate has changed little recently, the state's labor market, consistent with national trends, showed signs of weakening in February.

The number of non-farm jobs decreased by 1,700 between January and February, mostly in the private sector.