NEW: MA Adds 7,500 Jobs in Aug., But Jobless Rate Remains at 7.2%

Thursday, September 19, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Last month’s unemployment rate was up 0.4 of a percentage point from the August 2012 rate of 6.8 percent.

Massachusetts added 7,500 jobs in August, and the state’s unemployment rate held steady at 7.2 percent, according to a report released on Thursday by the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The number of jobs added in August is the biggest number since January, and breaks a two-month span of job losses.

August 2013 Employment Overview

Education and Health Services added 4,100 (+0.6%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Education and Health Services gained 16,300 (+2.4%) jobs.

Leisure and Hospitality gained 1,500 (+0.5%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Leisure and Hospitality added 3,400 jobs (+1.0%).

Manufacturing added 1,100 jobs (+0.4%) over the month with 1,000 jobs added in Non-Durable Goods. Over the year, Manufacturing lost 1,500 (-0.6%) jobs.

Construction gained 900 jobs (+0.8%) over the month. Over the year, Construction has added 4,700 (+4.1%) jobs.

Information added 700 (+0.8%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Information gained 3,100 (+3.5%) jobs.

Financial Activities gained 100 (0.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Financial Activities gained 500 (+0.2%) jobs.

Other Services lost 1,200 (-1.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Other Services added 1,800 (+1.5%) jobs.

Professional, Scientific and Business Services lost 300 (-0.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 10,000 (+2.0%) jobs.

Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 100 (0.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 5,300 (+1.0%) jobs.

Government added 800 (+0.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Government gained 1,600 (+0.4%) jobs.

Labor Force Overview

The August 2013 estimates show 3,239,500 Massachusetts residents were employed and 252,300 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,491,800. The August labor force increased by 1,200 from 3,490,600 in July 2013, as 1,200 fewer residents were employed and 2,400 more residents were unemployed over the month. The labor force was an estimated 19,900 above the 3,471,900 August 2012 estimates, with 3,100 more residents employed and 16,800 more residents unemployed.

The current U.S. unemployment rate is 7.3 percent.