State loses 1,600 jobs in April

BOSTON — The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) preliminary estimates show that Massachusetts lost 1,600 jobs in April and the total unemployment rate dropped 0.3 of a percentage point to 6.0 percent from the March rate.

Over the month, jobs were down 1,600 with private sector jobs down 3,000. Since April 2013, Massachusetts added a net of 46,200 jobs; with 49,400 jobs added in the private sector and 3,200 lost in the public sector. The total unemployment rate was down 1.0 percent from the April 2013 rate of 7.0 percent.

BLS also revised its March estimates upward to 9,200 jobs from the 8,100 jobs previously reported for the month.

April 2014 Employment Overview

Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 3,400 (+0.6%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 12,100 (+2.2%) jobs.

Financial Activities gained 400 (+0.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Financial Activities added 200 (+0.1%) jobs.

Other Services added 400 (+0.3%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Other Services jobs are up 4,500 (+3.6%) jobs.

Construction gained 200 (+0.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Construction has added 2,600 (+2.2%) jobs.

Manufacturing added 100 (0.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Manufacturing lost 300 (-0.1%) jobs.

Leisure and Hospitality lost 4,300 (-1.3%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Leisure and Hospitality added 500 jobs (+0.2%).

Professional, Scientific and Business Services lost 2,000 (-0.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 11,200 (+2.2%) jobs.

Education and Health Services lost 800 (-0.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Education and Health Services gained 14,000 (+1.9%) jobs.

Information lost 400 (-0.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Information gained 4,600 (+5.4%) jobs.

Government added 1,400 (+0.3%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Government lost 3,200 jobs (-0.7%).

Labor Force Overview

The April 2014 estimates show 3,295,600 Massachusetts residents were employed and 209,900 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,505,500. The April labor force decreased by 1,400 from 3,506,900 in March, as 9,700 more residents were employed and 11,100 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. The labor force was an estimated 20,700 above the 3,484,800 April 2013 estimate, with 53,500 more residents employed and 32,900 fewer 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.

NOTES:

Revised BLS CES jobs estimates now include jobs in Health Care that cover services to the elderly and disabled persons that were not previously in this series. The changes begin in January 1999.

Beginning with the March 2011 estimates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has assumed responsibility for the production of the CES State and sub-state jobs estimates. BLS has also implemented methodological changes which may increase the month to month variability of the estimates. See Changes to procedures for producing Current Employment Statistics (CES) State estimates.

Local area unemployment statistics for April 2014 will be released on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. The preliminary May 2014 and revised April 2014 unemployment rate, labor force data and jobs estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Thursday, June 19, 2014. See the 2014 Media Advisory annual schedule for a complete list of release dates.

Detailed labor market information is available at www.mass.gov/lmi