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Mass. Adds 10,100 Jobs In April; Jobless Rate Ticks Down To 4.7 Percent

The Massachusetts economy gained an estimated 10,100 jobs in April, and the state unemployment rate ticked down 0.1 percentage point, to 4.7 percent, the state labor department reported Thursday.

The jobless rate was last at 4.7 percent in January 2008, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development said.

The national unemployment rate is currently 5.4 percent.

April's robust jobs growth marks the state's eighth consecutive month of jobs gains, the department said. Jobs figures for March were also revised up, from an initially reported 10,500 to 12,100.

In another positive sign, the state's labor force participation rate — how many adult residents are working or actively seeking work — also ticked up last month, from 66.2 percent to 66.3 percent.

The jobs figures are based on a survey of employers, with the unemployment rate based on a survey of households. Both the jobs numbers and the unemployment rate are subject to revision.

Headshot of Benjamin Swasey

Benjamin Swasey Digital Manager
Ben is WBUR's digital news manager.

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