The Bay State’s unemployment rate continued its slide toward pre-recession levels in January when it hit 5.1 percent, the lowest rate since May 2008. Jobs in the state increased 2,600 in January, according to the Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Revised numbers released Tuesday show the December unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, which is 0.2 percent lower than originally estimated. The estimates of jobs added in 2014, a strong year for job growth, stayed relatively consistent with earlier estimates. The 60,700 jobs added in 2014, down 200 from earlier estimates, is the biggest year of job growth since 2000. Analysts also revised unemployment numbers downward.
For all but three months from April 2012 through December of 2014 the unemployment rate was actually lower than originally estimated, according to the Office of Labor and Workforce Development. In those three months – May, June and July of 2014 – the unemployment rate was higher than originally estimated.
Massachusetts unemployment drops once again in January
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