Mass. Jobless Rate Unchanged At 7.6 Percent

The unemployment rate in Massachusetts held steady at 7.6 percent in June, but officials say the state added 10,400 jobs during the month.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development said Thursday the largest number of new private-sector jobs were in manufacturing, followed by construction and the professional, scientific and business services sectors.

"When you look at all of the sectors that we increased jobs in, it shows a confidence in the Massachusetts economy that will continue to build on itself," said Labor Secretary Joanne Goldstein.

The information technology sector lost jobs in June — that industry's first monthly loss in nearly a year.

The 7.6 unemployment rate — unchanged from May — remains at the lowest level since February 2009. The national unemployment rate currently stands at 9.2 percent.

The job gains in June contrast with revised May figures that showed a loss of 4,100 jobs statewide.

The June report shows 263,800 Massachusetts residents were unemployed last month, out of a total labor force of nearly 3.5 million.

With reporting from The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom