The unemployment rate in Massachusetts fell to 7.3 percent in September from 7.4 in August, hitting its lowest rate since January 2009, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
However, the office reports that the state lost 2,300 jobs over the month. It also revised its August jobs estimate to show a loss of 10,500 jobs, previously reported as a loss of 8,900 jobs.
Employment fell over the month in industries including trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; other services and construction. Sectors gaining jobs included education and professional, scientific and business services.
Over the past year, the state has added 48,700 jobs, representing a growth rate of 1.5 percent, compared with a 1.1 percent growth rate nationwide.
State labor force figures show the number of employed residents rising by 12,100, while the ranks of the unemployed are down by 2,800.
The unemployment and labor force numbers are based on a household survey, while the jobs numbers come from a survey of employers, and the trends shown by the two measures sometimes conflict with each other.
