BOSTON – The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development today reported that the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) preliminary estimates show that Massachusetts added 7,500 jobs in August and the total unemployment rate remained unchanged over the month at 7.2 percent.
The private sector added 6,700 jobs in August as Education and Health Services; Leisure and Hospitality; Manufacturing; Construction; Information; and Financial Activities all added jobs. Since December 2012, Massachusetts has gained 22,800 jobs. Over the last 12 months, Massachusetts added 45,100 jobs, 43,500 of which were in the private sector.
Over the year, the unemployment rate was up 0.4 of a percentage point from the August 2012 rate of 6.8 percent. Revised BLS estimates show a 300 jobs loss in July.
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 estimate, with 3,100 more residents employed and 16,800 more residents unemployed.
The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households. The job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different monthly trends.
