BOSTON - May 15, 2008 --- The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported today that the Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped from 4.4 percent in March to 4.1 percent in April, the lowest rate since September 2001.

The Massachusetts rate has been below the U.S. rate since June 2007. The U.S rate edged down to 5.0 percent in April from 5.1 percent in March.

Revisions to the March jobs estimate published last month on a preliminary basis now show an upward job gain of 3,300 jobs, 400 more jobs than originally reported. Jobs in April were off by 2,400, partially offsetting these gains. Strong April job gains in educational and health services - which remains the fastest growing super sector of the Massachusetts economy over the year - were offset by declines in other areas, including leisure and hospitality, which had posted one of the largest job gains in March but the seasonally adjusted employment number for April was down due to less job growth than usual compared to previous April employment. The super sectors of trade, construction and transportation and utilities also showed declines over the month, reflecting the national trends in these areas.

With the preliminary April estimate, jobs are up for 2008 by 2,600 and total employment is now 3,290,600. Massachusetts has seen job growth in seven of the last nine months, and for the six consecutive months prior to April.

Employment Overview
Education and health services was the strongest performing super sector in Massachusetts, both over the month and over the year. Employment surged by 3,200 in April with gains recorded in hospitals, ambulatory care services, and educational services. At 635,600, jobs are up 14,500 or 2.3 percent from one year ago.

Although jobs in the professional, scientific and business services super sector were off 600 in April, employment has increased in the more specific professional, scientific, and technical services industries for six consecutive months. Most of the 7,400 jobs added over the past year in this super sector were in these professional, scientific, and technical services industries such as computer systems design and scientific research and development. At 488,000, employment is up 1.5 percent from one year ago.

Financial activities employment was up 300 over the month. At 224,400, financial activities sector is down 1,200 jobs from one year ago, with real estate, renting and leasing accounting for the decline.

Within the trade, transportation and utilities super sector, retail trade accounted for 1,000 of the 1,700 over the month job loss. At 567,200, employment in this super sector is also down 1,700 from one year ago. Retail trade lost 3,100 jobs over the year, while wholesale trade added 1,500 jobs.

The leisure and hospitality super sector recorded the largest loss of any sector loss over the month with a decline of 3,400 jobs. After posting a large job gain in March, seasonally adjusted employment in the super sector was off due to less than usual growth. At 301,700, leisure and hospitality jobs have increased by 2,600 over the year.

Information employment increased by 300 in April to 90,200. This super sector has added 1,600 jobs over the year and posted the second highest annual growth rate at 1.8 percent.

Manufacturing recorded a 200 job decline in April after having gained 400 jobs over the prior two months. At 292,600 employment is down 3,200 or 1.1 percent from one year ago.

Construction lost 900 jobs in April and has shed 3,400 jobs over the last six months. At 134,200, however, employment is only off 900 from one year ago.

The job numbers are the result of a monthly survey that uses U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics methodology. More than 9,000 Massachusetts employers are surveyed to determine the number of jobs by industry. These estimates are the economic indicator used to gauge the Commonwealth's employment growth patterns.

Labor Force Overview
The Bay State's labor force declined by 6,500 over the month as 2,400 more Massachusetts residents were employed and 8,900 less were unemployed. At 3,404,300, the labor force is also down 6,500 from this time last year as 8,900 more residents were employed and 15,400 fewer unemployed.

Labor force estimates for Massachusetts, developed using the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics model, are based on information on Massachusetts' residents' employment and unemployment status collected through a small monthly sample survey of households.

NOTES: Local area unemployment statistics for April 2008 will be released on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. The May 2008 unemployment rate and labor force data for Massachusetts will be released on Thursday, June 19, 2008, as will the May 2008 survey of jobs. (See the January, 2008 Media Advisory annual schedule for complete listing of release dates.) Detailed labor market information is available at www.mass.gov/lmi. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for Massachusetts have been revised as of 2/28/08.