Massachusetts Gains 8,500 Jobs in April as Unemployment Rate Remains at 4.7%

BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released Massachusetts unemployment and job estimates for April, with preliminary data indicating that payroll jobs increased by 8,500 for the month, following a revised increase of 7,200 jobs in March.

Massachusetts has added more than 21,600 payroll jobs, including 19,600 private sector jobs, since September, and has outpaced the country over the past six months. Preliminary data also shows the April unemployment rate remained at 4.7%, and labor force participation rate decreased slightly to 65.6%. May unemployment and job estimates are scheduled to be released on June 22.

BLS categories with the strongest growth month-over-month for Massachusetts employment in April include construction, private education and health services, and professional and business services.

“The recent period of employment expansion continued in April, outpacing the rest of the country, with most sectors gaining jobs,” said Mark Rembert, chief economist for EOLWD’s Department of Economic Research. “Job posting activity remains strong across sectors, with encouraging signals that the Commonwealth’s high-tech industries are seeking more workers as well.”