Mass. Unemployment Rate Up 8.2 in November

BOSTON (AP) - The Patrick administration has announced that the Massachusetts' unemployment rate ticked up to 8.2 percent in November as the state lost 8,600 jobs.

The rate is up slightly from 8.1 percent in October, but well below the national rate of 9.8 percent.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday that preliminary November estimates show most of the job losses came in the leisure and hospitality sector, which shed 6,100 jobs.

Some sectors saw gains, including education and health services, which added 2,100 jobs in November.

For the year, jobs are up 32,000 in Massachusetts, including 31,300 private sectors jobs and 700 government jobs.

Government added 500 jobs in November.

The state said November estimates show 3.2 million jobs in Massachusetts.

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