February brings in 13,7000 Mass. jobs as unemployment rate remains 3.5%

Massachusetts saw a gain of 13,700 jobs last month, including 13,100 from the private sector, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the unemployment rate remained at 3.5 percent. 

The private sector gain was largely attributed to gains in education and health services; construction, trade, transportation, utilities; professional, scientific and business services and financial activities. 

Job levels in leisure and hospitality did not change, according to BLS.

The state’s unemployment rate is still below the national rate of 4.1. 

According to state Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta, 2017 was the first time since 2000 in which the state’s monthly unemployment rate remained below 4 percent for the entire year. 

The largest gains were in education and health services, which added 6,900 jobs, and construction, which added 2,900 jobs.

Trade, transportation and utilities added another 1,700 jobs. 

Every sector except information and leisure & hospitality gained jobs last month. Over the year, every industry except information has gained at least 200 jobs and as much as 11,200.