Massachusetts Unemployment Rate Ticks up Slightly in July

BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts unemployment rate has ticked up slightly to 3.6 percent in July compared to 3.5 percent in June.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate that Massachusetts added 4,800 jobs in July. During the past 12 months, the state has added about 66,800 jobs.

Last month’s unemployment rate was also slightly lower than the national rate of 3.9 percent.

Since January 2015, Massachusetts has gained 213,600 jobs.

Massachusetts Labor Secretary Rosalin Acosta said the job gains — combined with low unemployment rates and labor force growth — are signs of the continued health of the Massachusetts labor market.

Some of the biggest private sector jobs gains came in: education and health services; professional, scientific and business services; construction; and manufacturing.