Boston construction jobs climb

Posted on May 6, 2017

New labor statistics show that Boston construction jobs have continued to grow.

The state’s total unemployment rate increased to 3.6 percent in Marchfrom the February rate of 3.4 percent, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development said.

The preliminary job estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate Massachusetts added 200 jobs in March. Over the month job gains occurred in Financial Activities; Professional, Scientific, and Business Services; Other Services; Construction; and Information.

From March 2016 to March 2017, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 49,000 jobs.

The March state unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate of 4.5 percent reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Massachusetts continues to experience substantial increases to the labor force. As new workers enter the job market, our workforce agencies remain focused on fostering an employment environment where employee skill sets are better aligned to future job sector growth,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said.

The labor force increased by 34,500 from 3,626,800 in February, as 26,700 more residents were employed and 7,900 more residents were unemployed over the month.

Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped five-tenths of a percentage point from 4.1 percent in March 2016. There were 15,700 fewer unemployed persons over the year compared to March 2016.

The state’s labor force participation rate – the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks – increased six-tenths of a percentage point to 65.9 percent over the month. The labor force participation rate over the year has increased 0.9 percent compared to March 2016.

The largest private sector percentage job gains over the year were in Financial Activities; Construction; Education and Health Services; and Professional, Scientific and Business Services.