The state’s total unemployment rate dropped to 3.5 percent in December, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced last week The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts lost 300 jobs in December. Over the month, the private sector lost 200 jobs; gains occurred in Construction; Manufacturing; Leisure and Hospitality; and Financial Activities. The November estimate was revised to a gain of 7,800 jobs.
From December 2016 to December 2017, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 63,000 jobs.