Led by job gains in education and health services, the state’s unemployment rate dropped by 0.1 percent in September to 4.4 percent,according to the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The unemployment rate was down from 4.5 percent in August and 5.1 percent in September 2006.
The overall number of jobs in the state declined by 2,100 in September, with “larger than usual seasonal job declines in retail trade,” the department said. The retail trade decline led to a decline of 2,900 jobs in the transportation and utilities sectors, the department said.
Manufacturing lost 600 jobs during the month, and is down 3,000 jobs from a year ago. Other sectors that saw job losses were construction, information and leisure and hospitality.
The biggest gains were seen in education and health services, which added 1,100 jobs, and professional, scientific and business services, which added 700 jobs.
