According to a release dated March 9, 2018 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the unemployment rate of Massachusetts in January was 3.5%, which is six tenths of a percentage point below the national average. 2017 marked the 8th consecutive year of job growth in Massachusetts, according to a statement from Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta.
While there are areas for improvement, the largest private sector percentage job gains in 2017 were in Construction; Leisure and Hospitality; Professional, Scientific and Business Services; and Other Services.
The January 2018 Employment Review cited that: Professional, Scientific and Business Services gained 2,500 (+0.4%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 13,300 (+2.4%) jobs. Information added 1,000 (+1.1%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Information gained 600 (+0.7%) jobs.