Unemployment rates in 20 of the state’s 22 labor market areas were lower in October than in September, according to the state Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner area, along with the Amherst, Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford and Peabody areas reported the greatest month-to-month unemployment rate declines.
The unemployment rate in the Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner market fell from 11.9 percent in September to 10.9 percent last month. The market’s unemployment rate was 7 percent a year ago.
Worcester’s unemployment rate fell from 9.7 percent to 9 percent over the month. A year ago, the city’s jobless rate was 5.8 percent.
Framingham’s jobless rate decreased from 7.6 percent in September to 6.8 percent in October. A year ago, its jobless rate was 4.3 percent.
The state’s unemployment rate decreased from 9.3 percent in September to 8.9 percent last month.
