Massachusetts' Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.7 Percent

By CHARLENE ARSENAULT (Patch Staff)

The Bay State is continuing to see job growth, and a drop in unemployment, according to figures released by the state on Thursday.

Massachusetts’ total unemployment rate dropped to 4.7 percent in April, which is a 0.1 percentage point decrease from the previous month, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday.

The new preliminary job estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate Massachusetts added 10,100 jobs in April, which marks eight straight months of jobs gains.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised upward its March job figure, reporting the state gained 12,100 jobs, instead of 10,500 which the agency originally reported last month, said the release.

Massachusetts’s unemployment rate fell 1.1 percent from April of 2014, which it was 5.8 percent. January 2008 was the last time the state’s unemployment rate was at 4.7 percent.

The state unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate of 5.4 percent, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“This is the seventh consecutive month we’ve seen a decrease in unemployment,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker said in an announcement. “Many more residents are employed, and labor participation has increased again.”

April 2015 estimates show that 3,464,500 residents were employed and 169,400 were unemployed. There were 37,700 fewer unemployed persons over the year compared to April 2014.

Over the month, jobs were up 10,100 with a private sector gain of 9,700. Since April 2014, jobs grew by 66,100 with 57,900 private sector job gains. Education and Health Services and Professional, Scientific, and Business Services had the largest job gains over the year. All sector details are listed below.

In an overview of jobs in April 2015, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 4,500 jobs were gained in the month in Education and Health Services, 1,900 in Leisure and Hospitality and 1,500 in Construction.

What are your thoughts on the economy and unemployment? Is Massachusetts turning around? Is the country turning around? Are you employed? If not, have you found job-hunting a struggle. Share your comments in the comments section below.