Mass. unemployment?drops to 4.8 percent

BOSTON – Massachusetts’ total unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent, a 0.1 of a percentage point decrease from the February rate, according to the Mass. Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Over the year, the unemployment rate fell by 1.1 percent from 5.9 percent in March 2014.

Over-the-month jobs were up 10,500, with a private-sector gain of 10,700. Education and health services gained 5,500 jobs over the month, leading the gains. Leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, professional and utilities were among the other areas posting gains.

Construction posted the greatest loss, shedding 2,100 jobs over the month. Financial activities and government also lost jobs over the month.

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