NEW: MA Loses 3,500 Jobs in July

Friday, August 16, 2019

GoLocalWorcester Business Team

MA loses 3,500 jobs in July

Massachusetts lost 3,500 jobs in the month of July, while unemployment dropped to 2.9 percent, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday.

“Over the last year, the labor force has increased by 18,000, with 34,400 more residents employed and 16,400 fewer residents unemployed. These increases to the labor force, coupled with an unemployment rate that has remained below 4 percent for 39 consecutive months, continue to highlight the overall strength of the Massachusetts economy,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta.

MA’s announcement comes one day after Rhode Island announced the addition of 1,300 jobs.

MA Loses Jobs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over the month, the private sector lost 4,100 jobs as losses occurred in Leisure and Hospitality; Education and Health Services; Professional, Scientific and Business Services; Construction; and Financial Activities.

Manufacturing jobs level remained unchanged over the month while Trade, Transportation and Utilities; Other Services; and Information added jobs.

Government added jobs over the month.

The state’s labor force participation rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 67.6 percent.

Compared to July of 2018, the labor force participation rate is up one-tenth of a percentage point.

From July of 2018 to July of 2019, BLS estimates Massachusetts added 37,300 jobs.

Unemployment Drops

MA’s unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point to 2.9 percent.

According to BLS, the July unemployment rate was eight-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent.

The labor force decreased by 4,400 from 3,838,800 in June, as 2,100 fewer residents were employed and 2,400 fewer residents were unemployed over the month.