Mass. unemployment rate holding at 7.3%

BOSTON – Massachusetts’ unemployment rate remained at 7.3 percent in October, the Mass. Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.
According to the report, preliminary October estimates show an increase of 10,800 jobs in Massachusetts, for a total of 3.23 million jobs.
Eight of the 10 private sectors added jobs in October, with the largest gains in education and health services; financial activities; construction; and professional, scientific and business services. The October job gain follows a revised 5,500 job loss in September.
Year to date, the office said, 45,500 jobs have been added in Massachusetts. More than 48,000 jobs were added in the private sector. Compared with October 2010, jobs in the state were up 50,000 for a growth rate of 1.6 percent.
The October estimates show 3.23 million Massachusetts residents were employed and 253,500 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3.4 million. The labor force increased by 12,400 from 3.47 million in September. &#8226