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November 17, 2016

Mass. jobless rate falls to 3.3 percent

The Massachusetts unemployment rate declined for the fourth consecutive month in October, falling to 3.3 percent.

The drop brings the rate to a low last seen in April 2001, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday. September's rate of 3.6 percent was last hit in June 2001.

Compared to October 2015, there are 55,400 fewer unemployed residents and 100,700 more who are employed.

The largest private sector job gains by percentage over the year have occurred in the fields of construction; professional, scientific and business services; education and health services; and leisure and hospitality.

The professional, scientific and business services sector gained 1,700 jobs over the month and 18,100 over the year.

The state shed 5,500 jobs in October. Fields that lost jobs over the month included education and health services (4,100), trade, transportation and utilities (2,400); and leisure and hospitality (1,600).

September job gains were higher than originally reported, with 8,100 jobs added instead of the original 5,100.

October's estimates show 3,491,500 Massachusetts residents were employed and 117,300 unemployed, labor officials said.

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