The unemployment rate in Massachusetts increased for the sixth straight month in a row as more as the seasonably adjusted unemployment rate hit a 2024 high of 3.9% just behind the national average of 4.1% according to the state’s Department of Economic Research.

The Commonwealth lost approximately 200 jobs in the month of October a smaller loss than the 1800 jobs lost in September. The Bureau of Labor Statistics had previously estimated a loss of 2600 jobs in the month of September but has since issued a revision.

The unemployment rate has bottomed out at 2.9% in April but has been on a steady march up since spring.

Year over year the government estimated that Massachusetts gained 39,200 jobs mostly in sectors dominated by government spending: “Education and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Government.”

In the last month, 1000 government jobs were lost but year over year government jobs are still up +5800.