Massachusetts down 4,000 private sector jobs as unemployment ticks up

6/5/2019 -West Springfield- The manufacturing sector gained jobs last month across the state. West Springfield's Hayden Corporation is celebrating their 100th anniversary. They specialize in thermal spray and laser cladding for various industries that use machines exposed to harsh conditions. This is welder Matthew Lovechio operating a high velocity spraying machine. (Don Treeger / The Republican)

Unemployment in Massachusetts edged up a tenth of percentage point in May, while jobs figures show the state lost 4,000 private-sector jobs.

The statewide unemployment rate is 3%, according to figures released Friday by the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

In April, unemployment fell by a tenth of one percentage point to 2.9%,

The Massachusetts unemployment rate fell below 3% for the first time since December of 2000.

Local May numbers won’t be available for another few weeks, but in April, Springfield’s unemployment rate was 4.6%.

As a region, Greater Springfield had an unemployment rate of 3.2% in April.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped five-tenths of a percentage point from May 2018 to May 2019.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts lost 3,600 jobs in May. Over the month, the private sector lost 4,000 jobs, although gains occurred in Professional, Scientific, and Business Services; Information; and Manufacturing. The jobs level in Other Services remained unchanged over the month. Government added jobs over the month.

The Massachusetts labor force increased by 600 from 3,840,400 in April, as 1,100 fewer residents were employed and 1,700 more residents were unemployed over the month.

“Massachusetts continues to experience a strong economy with a low unemployment rate of 3.0 percent and over 60,000 more employed residents and 17,500 fewer unemployed residents in the last year. Also, the Commonwealth’s labor force participation rate remains at a near 15 year high and is 5 points above the US rate,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said in a statement.

Nationally, the unemployment rate remained higher than the Massachusetts rate at 3.6% in May and total employment edged up just 75,000 jobs, according to numbers released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The increase was less than expected. Economists had predicted 185,000 jobs would be added in May, according to CNN.

Unemployment numbers come from a survey of households. Jobs numbers come from a survey of employers.

Here is a breakdown of job losses and gains by sector of the economy:

  • Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 1,000 (+0.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Professional, Scientific and Business Services gained 7,100 (+1.2%) jobs.
  • Information added 400 (+0.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Information gained 1,900 (+2.1%) jobs.
  • Manufacturing gained 100 (0.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Manufacturing lost 1,800 (-0.7%) jobs.
  • Other Services jobs level remained unchanged over the month. Over the year, Other Services are up 2,300 (+1.7%) jobs.
  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 2,300 (-0.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 600 (-0.1%) jobs.
  • Construction lost 2,300 (-1.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Construction has lost 700 (-0.4%) jobs.
  • Leisure and Hospitality lost 400 (-0.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Leisure and Hospitality added 200 (+0.1%) jobs.
  • Education and Health Services lost 300 (0.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Education and Health Services gained 14,300 (+1.8%) jobs.
  • Financial Activities lost 100 (0.0%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Financial Activities lost 100 (0.0%) jobs.
  • Government added 400 (+0.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Government gained 4,200 (+0.9%) jobs.

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