Mass. Jobless Rate Dips To 7.8 Percent In April

The Massachusetts unemployment rate is continuing to fall.

In April the rate dropped to 7.8 percent, down from 8 percent in March and well below the national unemployment rate of 9 percent. That's down from a state high of 8.8 percent in October 2009.

Helping drive down the rate was the addition of 19,500 jobs in April.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development said gains occurred in several sectors, including leisure and hospitality, transportation, education, health services, manufacturing, financial services and construction.

Government and other services shed jobs.

Gov. Deval Patrick called the report "hopeful news" that shows the state is continuing a robust recovery. He credited the recovery in part to investments in education and the state's infrastructure.

Since January, 34,200 jobs have been added in the Commonwealth.