Springfield Among Cities Gaining Jobs

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates dropped in 12 labor market areas, remained the same in nine areas and increased in three areas in the state during the month of March, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. The rates were down in all areas compared to March 2015.

A total of 14 areas added jobs over the month, with the largest gains in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham and Barnstable areas. The Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford area recorded the only loss over the month.

From March 2015 to March 2016, 14 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the Haverhill-Newport-Amesbury, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton and Barnstable areas. The Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead area jobs level remained unchanged.

In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for March is 4.6%, down 0.1 of a percentage point from the February rate.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.4% for the month of March. The unemployment rate is down 0.7% over the year.

The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 6,900-job gain in March and an over-the-year gain of 61,400 jobs.