BOSTON – The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday that preliminary October estimates show an increase of 10,800 jobs in Massachusetts, for a total of 3,239,300 jobs. The total unemployment rate remained at 7.3 percent, well below the national rate of 9.0 percent, and the state's lowest monthly rate since January 2009.
Eight of the 10 private sectors added jobs in October with the largest gains in Education and Health Services (4,700); Financial Activities (1,900); Construction (1,700); Professional, Scientific, and Business Services (1,700); and Government (2,600). There were losses over the month in Leisure and Hospitality (2,700) and Information (1,300) although both sectors are still up over last year.
The October job gain follows a revised 5,500 job loss in September.
The October estimates show 3,237,700 Massachusetts residents were employed and 253,500 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,491,200. The labor force increased by 12,400 from 3,478,800 in September, as 13,900 more residents were employed and 1,500 fewer residents were unemployed over-the-month. Since October 2009, there are 69,300 more residents employed and 50,900 fewer residents unemployed as the labor force increased by 18,400. Totals for October may not add exactly because of rounding.
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