AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine’s unemployment rate is approaching four years of remaining at very low levels.

The Maine Department of Labor says the unemployment rate for October was 2.8%. That was down a tick from 2.9% in August and September.

The state’s unemployment rate was 3.5% a year ago and has been below 4% for 46 consecutive months.

Unemployment is low around the country and especially low in New England. The nationwide ride was 3.6% in October, and New England’s rate was 3%. Every state in New England was either the same as the nationwide rate or below it.

The lowest rate in the region was in Vermont, where unemployment was only 2.2%.