BOSTON (AP) - State labor officials say Massachusetts added an estimated 10,000 jobs in June while the unemployment rate crept up to 4.3 percent.
Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said Thursday the first six months of 2017 brought a record increase in the total labor force in Massachusetts, signaling a growing state economy.
The unemployment rate of 4.3 percent was up from 4.2 percent in May. It’s been rising steadily this year after falling below 3 percent in late 2016. Analysts say the uptick is tied to the increase in the labor force as more people feel encouraged to seek work.
In addition to the preliminary estimates of 10,000 jobs gained in June, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics says Massachusetts has added nearly 66,000 jobs over the past 12 months.
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