Mass. Adds 7,400 Jobs In May; Jobless Rate Ticks Down To 4.6 Percent

The Massachusetts economy gained an estimated 7,400 jobs in May, and the state unemployment rate ticked down 0.1 percentage point, to 4.6 percent, the state labor department reported Thursday.

It's the lowest Massachusetts' jobless rate has been since December 2007, according to the state. The national unemployment rate is 5.5 percent.

Thursday's labor report also revised up the estimated number of jobs added in April, from an originally reported 10,100, to 11,200.

Another positive figure: The state's labor force — how many adult residents are working or actively seeking work — increased 5,800 last month, as approximately 6,600 more residents were employed and 700 fewer residents were unemployed, the labor department said in its release.

“We have had solid job growth in the last three months, with approximately 30,000 jobs added in the state,” Massachusetts Labor Secretary Ronald Walker said in the release. “As more jobs are created, more people are coming back into the labor market.”

Six of 10 state jobs sectors gained positions last month, led by construction with 3,500 jobs added.

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.