Mass. unemployment rate inches up in August

BOSTON – The Mass. Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development last month reported that the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary August 2012 estimates show that Massachusetts lost 4,800 jobs over the month, for a total of 3.24 million jobs. The loss follows a revised gain of 300 jobs in July.
The total unemployment rate rose from 6.1 percent in July to 6.3 percent in August. The unemployment rate is down 1.1 percentage points from the August 2011 rate of 7.4 percent. The three-month average, seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate was 6.1 percent and the six-month average was 6.2 percent.
Year-to-date jobs are up 31,400 with private-sector jobs up 29,900. Professional, scientific, business services and trade, transportation, and utilities show the largest gains.
Over the year, August 2011 to August 2012, jobs are up 40,200. Private-sector jobs are up 41,000, for a growth rate of 1.5 percent, with gains in six of the 10 sectors.
The August 2012 estimates show 3.22 million Massachusetts residents were employed and 218,800 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3.44 million. Over the year, 33,000 more residents are employed and 34,800 fewer residents are unemployed. •

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