Mass. gained jobs in September but unemployment rate held at 4.3% - State House News Service

Massachusetts gained 3,500 jobs in September, its jobless rate was unchanged, and its labor force grew, according to preliminary data the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development released on Friday. "There were several positive labor market signals in September,” said Mark Rembert, chief economist at the Department of Economic Research . "Jobs grew, the unemployment rate remained stable, the labor force participation rate increased, and the labor force saw the largest monthly increase in more than 2 years." The state labor force rose by 8,400 in September with 7,800 more residents employed and 600 more unemployed. The state's labor force participation rate was 65.4% last month – up from August's 65.3% – and the U.S. rate was 61.8%.