Here’s the latest News Release on the States Employment Figures
Massachusetts Unemployment and Job Estimates for April
BOSTON, MA – The state’s total unemployment rate remained at 3.5 percent in April, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts added 6,100 jobs in April. Over the month, the private sector added 5,900 jobs as gains occurred in Education and Health Services; Professional, Scientific, and Business Services; Other Services; Financial Activities; and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities. Government also added jobs over the month.
From April 2017 to April 2018, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 47,600 jobs.
The April unemployment rate was four-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.9 percent reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Massachusetts has now experienced a 3.5 percent unemployment rate for seven consecutive months. Over the year, jobs are up 47,600 with Professional, Business and Scientific Services adding 19,200 jobs – signs of continuing growth and strength in the economy.” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said.
The labor force increased by 20,900 from 3,683,700 in March, as 19,700 more residents were employed and 1,300 more residents were unemployed over the month.
Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased four-tenths of a percentage point from 3.9 percent in April 2017.
The state’s labor force participation rate – the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks – is up over the month four-tenths of a percentage point at 66.0 percent. Compared to April 2017, the labor force participation rate is up four-tenths of a percentage point.
The largest private sector percentage job gains over the year were in Construction; Professional, Scientific and Business Services; Leisure and Hospitality; and Other Services.
April 2018 Employment Overview
Education and Health Services added 3,100 (+0.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Education and Health Services gained 6,200 (+0.8%) jobs.
Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 2,500 (+0.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 19,200 (+3.4%) jobs.
Other Services added 1,700 (+1.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Other Services are up 2,600 (+1.9%) jobs.
Financial Activities gained 1,300 (+0.6%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Financial Activities added 2,000 (+0.9%) jobs.
Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 100 (0.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Trade, Transportation and Utilities gained 800 (+0.1%) jobs.
Construction lost 1,300 (-0.8%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Construction has gained 9,100 (+6.1%) jobs.
Leisure and Hospitality lost 900 (-0.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Leisure and Hospitality added 7,000 (+1.9%) jobs.
Information lost 400 (-0.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Information lost 600 jobs (-0.7%).
Manufacturing lost 300 (-0.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Manufacturing gained 2,200 (+0.9%) jobs.
Government added 200 (0.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Government lost 1,000 (-0.2%) jobs.
Labor Force Overview
The April estimates show 3,574,600 Massachusetts residents were employed and 130,000 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,704,600. The unemployment rate remained at 3.5 percent for the seventh consecutive month. The April labor force increased by 20,900 from 3,683,700 in March, as 19,700 more residents were employed and 1,300 more residents were unemployed over the month. The labor force participation rate, the share of working age population employed and unemployed, increased four-tenths of a percentage point to 66.0 percent. The labor force was up 45,700 from the 3,658,900 April 2017 estimate, with 57,400 more residents employed and 11,700 fewer residents unemployed.
The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households. The job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different monthly trends.
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