Nevada's unemployment rate has dropped below 6 percent for the first time in eight years.

The state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported Wednesday that the jobless rate in February was 5.9 percent, which is the lowest it's been since April 2008.

Nevada's jobless rate is one percentage point above the national rate of 4.9 percent.

The state added a seasonally adjusted 1,700 jobs in February compared with January, and the number of jobs is up nearly 29,000 compared with the same time a year ago.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said he was extremely encouraged by the news, and said he wanted to continue working to improve the economy so Nevadans can provide for their families.