The state’s July total unemployment rate dropped by two-tenths of a percentage point at 3.5 percent over-the-month, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts gained 13,500 jobs in July. This follows last month’s revised gain of 5,800 jobs. The largest over the month private sector job gains were in Professional and Business Services, Education and Health Services, and Other Services. Employment now stands at 3,680,100. Since the employment trough in April 2020, Massachusetts gained 629,100 jobs.
From July 2021 to July 2022, BLS estimates Massachusetts gained 134,500 jobs. The largest over the year gains occurred in Professional, Scientific, and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Education and Health Services.
The July unemployment rate of 3.5 percent was the same as the national rate reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The labor force decreased by an estimated 7,500 from 3,773,100 in June, as 800 more residents were employed, and 8,300 fewer residents were unemployed over-the-month.
Over-the-year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down by 2.2 percentage points.
The state’s labor force participation rate – the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks – was down two-tenths of a percentage point at 65.8 percent. Compared to July 2021, the labor force participation rate was up 0.2 percentage points.
July 2022 Employment Overview
• Government gained 12,800 jobs over the month. Over the year, 4,500 jobs were lost.
• Professional and Business Services gained 5,500jobs over the month. Over the year, 34,300 jobs were added.
• Education and Health Services gained 5,200 jobs over the month. Over the year, 30,200 jobs were added.
• Other Services gained 1,400 jobs over the month. Over the year, 6,900 jobs were added.
• Information gained 1,300 jobs over the month. Over the year, 5,200 jobs were added.
• Manufacturing gained 900 over the month. Over the year, 8,400 jobs were added.
• Financial Activities gained 500 jobs over the month. Over the year, 2,600 were lost.
• Construction lost 600 jobs over the month. Over the year, 9,500 jobs were added.
• Trade, Transportation, And Utilities lost 1,200 jobs over the month. Over the year, 16,400 jobs were added.
• Leisure And Hospitality lost 12,300 jobs over the month. Over the year, 30,700 jobs were added.