Mass. Adds 6,900 Jobs In March; Jobless Rate Ticks Down To 4.4 Percent

March was a good month for the Massachusetts labor market — at least according to initial estimates.

The state added 6,900 jobs in March, its labor force — that is, people working and actively seeking work — increased by 11,500, and the Massachusetts unemployment rate ticked down to 4.4 percent, according to the latest monthly snapshot from the state, released on Thursday.

"We are very pleased to see the unemployment rate continues to drop and the labor force is increasing," state Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker said in a statement.

The Massachusetts jobless rate continues to be below the national rate, which is currently 5 percent.

Thursday's report also revised up the estimated number of jobs the state added in February, from an initially reported 13,300 to 13,900. Massachusetts has now added an estimated 22,000 jobs so far in 2016.

The jobs numbers, though, are subject to revision.

As we reported last month, the state gained about 33,000 fewer jobs in 2015 than was initially estimated, and 22,000 more jobs in 2014 than first tallied.

The unemployment rate is based on a survey of households, and is also subject to revision.