The state economy gained 9,100 jobs in February, while unemployment held steady at 6.9 percent, according to a preliminary estimate by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The largest job gains were in leisure and hospitality; trade, transportation and utilities and education and health services.
State government gained 2,000 jobs due to larger-than-expected seasonal increases in the education sector. However, federal and local governments lost jobs, bringing the total gain in public-sector employment down to 100.
The state also revised its January job estimates upward and now shows a gain of 13,900 jobs for that month, instead of the 6,600 that was previously reported. Over the past year, the state has added 27,100 jobs, according to the latest estimate.
