BOSTON - Thursday November 18, 2010 --- The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported today that the total unemployment rate dropped from 8.4 percent in September to 8.1 percent in October, the lowest unemployment rate since April 2009 and the steepest two-month consecutive drop since 1976. Since August the rate has dropped seven tenths of a percentage point and remains below the 9.6 percent national rate.

The preliminary October job estimates show 3,185,500 jobs in Massachusetts, an increase of 10,000 jobs, with most of the gains in Education and Health Services and Leisure and Hospitality. Professional, Scientific and Business Services, Construction and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities lost jobs. Over-the-year, jobs are up 37,300 with private sector jobs up 35,100. The October job gain follows a revised 21,300 jobs loss in September, previously reported as a 20,900 job loss. Year-to-date (December 2009 - October 2010) 47,900 total jobs have been added. Private sector job growth for the same time period is 48,300.

Trends for the labor force, unemployed residents, employed residents, the unemployment rate and jobs continue to indicate improvement for the Commonwealth's economy.

Employment Overview
The Education and Health Services sector gained 5,100 jobs (+0.8 percent) after losing 7,100 jobs in September. Educational Services gained 4,800 jobs (+2.9 percent) and Health Care and Social Assistance gained 300 jobs (+0.1 percent). Since December, 11,300 jobs (+1.7 percent) have been added in this sector. Over-the-year, Education and Health Services jobs are up 13,900 (+2.1 percent) with growth in both component industries.

The Leisure and Hospitality sector gained 2,800 jobs (+0.9 percent) following on a revised loss of 11,900 jobs in September. Accommodation and Food Services gained 1,700 jobs (+0.7 percent); Arts, Entertainment and Recreation gained 1,100 jobs (+2.7 percent). Over-the-year, jobs in Leisure and Hospitality are up 1,600 (+0.5 percent).

Other Services added 1,300 jobs (+1.1 percent). Year-to-date, 3,500 (+3.0 percent) jobs have been added while over-the-year jobs are up 1,800 (+1.5 percent).

Manufacturing jobs were up 1,200 (+0.5 percent) with gains in both Durable Goods, up 900 jobs (+0.6 percent), and Non-Durable Goods which gained 300 jobs (+0.3 percent). Over-the-year, Manufacturing jobs are up 2,500 (+1.0 percent).

Financial Activities gained 600 jobs (+0.3 percent) following on a revised gain of 1,500 jobs in September. Within this sector, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing added 400 jobs (+1.1 percent). Finance and Insurance added 200 jobs (+0.1 percent) and has added jobs in each of the last five months. Year-to-date, 3,100 jobs (+1.5 percent) have been added. Financial Activities jobs are up 1,300 (+0.6 percent) from one year ago.

Information jobs were up 400 (+0.5 percent) after gaining a revised 900 jobs in September. Since December, Information employment is up 1,500 jobs (+1.8 percent) and has added 1,300 jobs (+1.5 percent) from one year ago.

Government gained 1,500 jobs (+0.3 percent) in October with 800 jobs gained in State Government (+0.7 percent) followed by 500 jobs gained (+1.0 percent) in Federal Government and Local Government gained 200 jobs (+0.1 percent). Over-the-year, Government has gained 2,200 jobs (+0.5 percent).

Construction lost 1,500 jobs (-1.4 percent) after adding a revised 1,500 jobs in September. Over-the-year, Construction jobs are down 1,300 jobs (-1.2 percent).

Professional, Scientific and Business Services lost 900 jobs (-0.2 percent). Within this sector, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services added 100 jobs (0.0 percent); Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services, which includes Employment Services, added 400 jobs (+0.3 percent); while Management of Companies and Enterprises shed 1,400 jobs (-2.3 percent). Year-to-date, Professional, Scientific and Business Services has added 12,600 jobs (+2.8 percent) while over-the-year, jobs are up 12,000 (+2.6 percent).

Trade, Transportation and Utilities jobs were down 500 (-0.1 percent) following a revised 400 job loss in September. Retail Trade added 600 jobs (+0.2 percent) while Wholesale Trade lost 1,000 jobs (-0.8 percent) and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities lost 100 jobs (-0.1 percent). Year-to-date Trade, Transportation and Utilities jobs are up 6,100 (+1.2 percent); over-the-year jobs are up 1,900 jobs (+0.4 percent).

Labor Force Overview
The October estimates show 3,197,400 Massachusetts residents were employed and 282,900 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,480,300. The 282,900 unemployed residents seeking work are the lowest since April 2009. The labor force increased by 3,300 from 3,477,000 in September as 12,600 more residents were employed and 9,300 fewer residents were unemployed over-the-month. The labor force is 8,400 above last year's level with 41,900 more residents employed and 33,400 fewer residents unemployed. Since the unemployment rate peaked at 9.5 percent in January 2010, 54,200 more residents are employed and 46,100 fewer residents unemployed for a labor force growth of 8,100. Totals may not add exactly due to rounding.

The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households, while the job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different trends.

NOTES: Local area unemployment statistics for November 2010 will be released on Tuesday, December 21, 2010. The November 2010 unemployment rate and labor force data for Massachusetts will be released on Thursday, December 16, 2010. (See the March, 2010 Revised Media Advisory annual schedule for complete listing of release dates.) Detailed labor market information is available at www.mass.gov/lmi.