BOSTON - Wendsday July 14, 2010 --- The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported today that the state unemployment rate dropped to 9.0 percent from 9.2 percent in May, and the state rate remains below the 9.5 percent national rate. Both the state and national rates declined over-the-month due to decreases in the labor force.

The private sector added 3,400 jobs while Government lost 2,900 jobs. preliminary June total jobs estimate of 3,182,300 (up 500 jobs) follows a revised May estimate of 3,181,800 total jobs.

The largest private sector job gains in June were in Leisure and Hospitality; Construction; and Trade, Transportation and Utilities. The Government decline in employment reflects a drop in the number of Federal Government temporary jobs for the Census.

The June job growth follows on a revised 15,200 jobs gain in May, previously reported as 15,800. From June 2009 – June 2010, jobs are up 16,700.

Employment Overview
The Leisure and Hospitality sector gained 4,100 jobs (+1.4 percent) in June with growth in both Arts, Entertainment and Recreation which added 1,400 jobs (+3.1 percent) and Accommodation and Food Services which gained 2,700 jobs (+1.1 percent). Since February, Accommodation and Food Services has added 10,700 jobs, and since December, the Leisure and Hospitality sector has added 8,500 jobs.

Construction gained 2,000 jobs (+1.9 percent) in June following on a 1,400 jobs gain in May and a 3,400 jobs gain in April. Since March, Construction has added 6,800 jobs. Over-the-year, Construction jobs are down 1,700 jobs (-1.5 percent).

Trade, Transportation and Utilities jobs were up 1,600 (+0.3 percent). Year-to-date this sector has added 7,900 jobs. In June, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities added 1,300 jobs (+1.7 percent); Wholesale Trade added 600 jobs (+0.5 percent) while Retail Trade lost 300 jobs (-0.1 percent). Trade, Transportation and Utilities jobs are down 4,600 jobs (-0.8 percent) from one year ago.

Financial Activities gained 700 jobs in June (+0.3 percent). Since February this sector has added 2,700 jobs with gains in three of the last four months. Within this sector, Finance and Insurance gained 1,200 jobs (+0.7 percent) in June while Real Estate and Rental and Leasing lost 500 jobs (-1.4 percent). Financial Activities jobs are down 4,800 (-2.3 percent) from one year ago.

Other Services added 600 jobs in June (+0.5 percent). Jobs are down 800 (-0.7 percent) from one year ago.

Information gained 500 jobs (+0.6 percent) in June after losing jobs the previous three months. Information employment is up 100 jobs (+0.1 percent) from one year ago.

Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 300 jobs (+0.1 percent) in June. Since February this sector has added 7,200 jobs with gains in three of the last four months. In June, Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services gained 500 jobs (+0.3 percent) , Professional, Scientific and Technical Services lost 100 jobs (0.0 percent) following on a 1,100 job gain in May and Management of Companies and Enterprises also lost 100 jobs. Over-the-year, this sector added 7,100 jobs (+1.6 percent).

The Education and Health Services sector lost 6,100 jobs (-0.9 percent) in June with all of the loss in Educational Services; Health Care and Social Assistance jobs were unchanged. Over-the-year, Education and Health Services jobs are up 12,200 (+1.9 percent). Seasonal Adjustment factors may be overstating the preliminary June job loss in this sector and also overstating gains in previous months due to changes in seasonal employment trends.

Government lost 2,900 jobs (-0.6 percent) in June with most of the job loss in the Federal Government due to reductions in the number of temporary jobs for the Census. Federal Government lost 2,700 jobs (-4.7 percent), State Government lost 100 jobs (-0.1 percent), and Local Government also lost 100 jobs (0.0 percent). Over-the-year, Government has gained 10,900 jobs (+2.5 percent) fueled by the hiring of census workers.

Manufacturing lost 300 jobs (-0.1 percent) in June after gaining 400 jobs in May. Non-Durable Goods which gained 400 jobs (+0.4 percent) has added 3,000 jobs since January with five consecutive monthly gains. Durable Goods lost 700 jobs (-0.4 percent). Manufacturing jobs are down 4,600 (-1.8 percent) from one year ago.

Labor Force Overview
The June estimates show 3,166,300 Massachusetts residents were employed and 312,300 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,478,700. The labor force decreased by 7,500 from 3,486,200 in May as 400 more residents were employed and 8,000 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. The labor force is 3,400 above last year's level, with 14,800 fewer residents employed and 18,100 more unemployed residents. Totals may not add exactly due to rounding.

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: area unemployment statistics for June 2010 will be released on Tuesday, July 20, 2010. The July 2010 unemployment rate and labor force data for Massachusetts will be released on Thursday, August 19, 2010. (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.