Mass. jobless rate for Feb. holds at 9.5 percent

BOSTON (AP) - The Massachusetts unemployment rate held steady at 9.5 percent in February.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday there was a net jobs increase of 1,500, with private sector jobs up 3,000 in total. For the year to date, private sector jobs are up 3,600.

The largest increases have been in the areas of education and health services as well as the trade, transportation and utilities category.

Job losses were recorded in the leisure and hospitality and financial activities sectors, among others.

Overall, the bureau estimates the Massachusetts labor force was 3.48 million in February, an increase of 6,000 from January.

The estimate includes 3.15 million employed in February - up 4,400 from January - and 331,000 unemployed.

That's an increase of 1,700 from January.