BOSTON - March 18, 2010 --- The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported today the Massachusetts unemployment rate of 9.5 percent in February was unchanged from January. This tracks with the national rate, which at 9.7 percent also was unchanged from January to February. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) establishment survey estimates there were 3,139,100 jobs in the Commonwealth in February.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) model-based estimates show more Massachusetts residents were employed in February than in January. The labor force showed an increase of 6,000. The over the month change in the number of unemployed has been declining over the past year and is at the lowest level since the recession began. This is a notable change from one year ago. The unemployment rate remains level and claims for the regular unemployment insurance program continue to trend below last year's levels.

The jobs numbers indicate growth in several sectors and lower monthly losses in other sectors. The net jobs increase is 1,500 for the month of February with private sector jobs up 3,000 in total. Year to date, private sector jobs are up 3,600. The largest increases have been in Education and Health Services and Trade, Transportation and Utilities.

Sectors that added jobs in February include Education and Health Services; Other Services; and Construction. The Construction sector recorded a modest job gain and jobs in Manufacturing were unchanged.

Job losses were recorded in Leisure and Hospitality; Financial Activities; Trade, Transportation and Utilities; Information; Professional, Scientific and Business Services and Government. Over the past twelve months, the BLS estimates that the state has experienced a job loss of 2.5 percent, or 79,900 jobs.

Employment Overview
The Education and Health Services sector added 3,800 jobs in February. This is the eighth consecutive monthly job gain for this sector. Educational Services added 4,200 jobs while Health Care and Social Assistance lost 400 jobs. Education and Health Services jobs are up 2.1 percent, or 13,300 from one year ago.

Other Services added 2,000 jobs in February, the third consecutive monthly jobs gain for this sector. Within this sector, jobs are down 0.5 percent, or 600 from one year ago.

Construction added 300 jobs in February. This is the first monthly gain since October 2009. Construction jobs are down 15.3 percent or 18,400 jobs over the year.

Manufacturing jobs in February did not change over the month. Manufacturing jobs are down 6.7 percent, or 17,900 jobs from one year ago. Non-Durable Goods 900 job gain offset Durable Goods 900 job loss.

Government lost 1,500 jobs in February. Federal Government lost 900 jobs; Local Government lost 500 jobs and State Government lost 100 jobs. Over the year, Government has lost 3,600 jobs.

The Leisure and Hospitality sector lost 1,300 jobs in February. All of the monthly job loss occurred in Accommodation and Food Services. Leisure and Hospitality jobs are down 2.6 percent, or 7,700 over the year

Financial Activities jobs were down 800 in February. Within this sector, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing gained 400 jobs while Finance and Insurance lost 1,200 jobs. Jobs in Financial Activities are down 5.3 percent, or 11,500 jobs, from one year ago.

The Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector lost 500 jobs in February. Retail Trade lost 200 jobs; Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities also lost 200 jobs and Wholesale Trade lost 100 jobs. Trade, Transportation and Utilities jobs are down 3.5 percent, or 19,200 from one year ago.

Information jobs were down 300 in February following a 400 job gain in January. Information employment is down 2.3 percent, or 2,000 jobs from one year ago.

Professional, Scientific and Business Services lost 100 jobs in February. Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services gained 2,100 jobs, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services lost 1,500 jobs and Management of Companies and Enterprises lost 700 jobs. Over the year, jobs in this sector were down 2.6 percent, or 12,200.

Labor Force Overview
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the Massachusetts labor force in February to be at 3,478,200, an increase of 6,000 from the January estimate. This estimate indicates that 3,147,600 residents were employed in February, an increase of 4,400 from the January estimate and that 330,700 residents were unemployed, an increase of 1,700 from January. These numbers are rounded and therefore do not add to an exact total.

The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households, while the job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different trends.

NOTES: Local area unemployment statistics for February 2010 will be released on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. The March 2010 unemployment rate and labor force data for Massachusetts will be released on Thursday, April 15, 2010, as will the March 2010 survey of jobs. (See the March, 2010 Revised 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 3/4/2010.