Mass. unemployment rate up slightly last month
Massachusetts unemployment rate up slightly last month, but economy adds 7,500 jobs
BOSTON (AP) -- State officials say the Massachusetts economy added 7,500 jobs in December, but the unemployment rate still edged up by one-tenth of a percentage point to 6.7 percent.
The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday that the unemployment rate rose from 6.6 percent in November, but was two-tenths of a percentage point below the December 2011 level. The state unemployment rate remains well below the national rate of 7.8 percent.
The state reported the most job gains in the education and health services sector, as well as in leisure and hospitality and construction.
The sectors that lost the most jobs in December was trade, transportation, and utilities.
The agency said the number of jobs lost in November was revised up from 1,100 to 3,200.
