Mass adds jobs; unemployment down to 5.5 percent

BOSTON – Massachusetts added 10,900 jobs in December and lowered its unemployment rate 0.3 percentage points to 5.5 percent, the Mass. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced late last month.
Since December 2013, the state has added a net of 60,900 jobs, with 58,400 jobs coming in the private sector. The total unemployment rate for the year is down 1.6 percent from the December 2013 rate of 7.1 percent.
According to data released by the office, the leisure and hospitality industry led the gains, adding 4,700 jobs over the month. Professional services, education and health services, construction and trade and transportation services all reported job gains as well.
The public sector also added 2,300 jobs over the month.
Financial activities, manufacturing and information services were among the industries reporting losses.
According to the office, the December 2014 estimates show 3,371,500 Massachusetts residents were employed and 194,900 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,566,400. The December labor force increased by 2,800 from 3,563,600 in November, as 15,800 more residents were employed and 13,000 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. •

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