BOSTON, MA - March 21, 2013 --- The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development today announced that Massachusetts has surpassed pre-recession job levels. With revised numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing more jobs were created in January than initially estimated, there are now 3,318,500 jobs in Massachusetts, compared to 3,304,300 in April 2008.

Revised jobs estimates show 18,900 jobs were created in January, an increase over the 16,100 jobs initially estimated.

Initial estimates show 500 jobs were created in February and the statewide unemployment rate ticked down to 6.5%. Five of the ten sectors added jobs in February with the largest gain in Professional, Scientific, and Business Services.

Over the year, Massachusetts added 57,600 jobs, 52,500 of which were in the private sector.

Construction added 1,400 (+1.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Construction added 4,500 (+3.9%) jobs.

Other Services added 900 (+0.7%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Other Services added 3,500 (+2.9%) jobs.

Financial Activities added 700 (+0.3%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Financial Activities gained 700 (+0.3%) jobs; Finance and Insurance lost 400 (-0.2%) jobs; Real Estate, Rental and Leasing added 1,100 (+2.7%) jobs.

Education and Health Services lost 3,600 (-0.5%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Education and Health Services gained 11,400 (+1.7%) jobs.

Leisure and Hospitality lost 2,400 (-0.7%) jobs over the month due to the loss in Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation. Over the year, Leisure and Hospitality added 9,000 (+2.8%) jobs.

Manufacturing lost 1,700 jobs (-0.7%) over the month. Over the year, Manufacturing lost 2,900 (-1.1%) jobs.

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities lost 500 (-0.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 5,900 (+1.1%) jobs.

Information lost 400 (-0.5%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Information gained 2,300 (+2.7%) jobs.

Government gained 2,800 (+0.6%) jobs over the month, with the largest gain coming from Local Government, which added 2,000 (+0.8%) jobs. State Government added 800 jobs (+0.6%) and Federal Government jobs remained unchanged. Over the year, Government gained 5,100 (+1.2%) jobs.

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

NOTES: Beginning with the March 2011 estimates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has assumed responsibility for the production of the CES State and sub-state jobs estimates. BLS has also implemented methodological changes which may increase the month to month variability of the estimates. (See (Changes to procedures for producing Current Employment Statistics (CES) State estimates.)

Local area unemployment statistics for February 2013 will be released on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. The preliminary March 2013 and revised February 2013 unemployment rate, labor force data and jobs estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Thursday, April 18, 2013. (See the 2013 Media Advisory annual schedule for complete listing of release dates.) Detailed labor market information is available at www.mass.gov/lmi.