MA Loses 5,000 Jobs in December

MA Loses 5,000 Jobs in December

Massachusetts lost 5,000 jobs in the month of December, while unemployment slipped to 2.8 percent, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday.

“Preliminary job estimates indicate that Massachusetts added nearly 45,000 jobs in 2019. Education and Health Services once again led the way, posting a 23,900 gain, which accounted for 1 out every 2 jobs added in the Commonwealth last year. The statewide unemployment rate remained low – finishing at 2.8%. And the labor force participation rate held steady at 67.8%, 4.7% above the national average,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta.

MA’s announcement comes one day after Rhode Island announced that it added 100 jobs in December.

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MA Loses Jobs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in December, the private sector lost 4,500 jobs as losses occurred in Professional, Scientific and Business Services; Manufacturing; Financial Activities; Education and Health Services; and Other Services. 

Gains occurred in Leisure and Hospitality along with Trade, Transportation and Utilities while the jobs remained level in Information and Construction remained unchanged over the month.

Government lost jobs over the month.

From December of 2018 to December of 2019, BLS estimates Massachusetts added 44,800 jobs.

Unemployment Dips

The December unemployment rate of 2.8 was seven-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.5 percent.

The state's labor force participation rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 67.8 percent.

Compared to December of 2018, the labor force participation rate remained unchanged. 

Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point.