The Massachusetts unemployment rate for February was 3.7%, up from January’s revised estimate of 3.5%.
An estimated 3,000 jobs were gained across the state in February, as compared to January’s revised gain of 8,900 jobs, according to a Friday press release from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Management. The labor force overall increased by an estimated 11,700 since January, with 6,800 more Massachusetts residents employed, and 4,800 more unemployed.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a total gain of 91,700 jobs in Massachusetts between February 2022 and February 2023.
Massachusetts unemployment was one-tenth of a percentage point higher than the national average of 3.6% for February, according to the BLS.
Across industries, the largest private sector job gains were in professional, scientific, and business services, education and health services, and trade, transportation, and utilities.
Since the labor low-point in April 2020, Massachusetts gained 674,200 jobs. Employment totals are now an estimated 3,735,800, putting the state above pre-COVID employment levels.
BLS’ original estimate released March 10 for the unemployment rate in January was 3.6%, but that was revised down to 3.5% on Friday.
