Mass. jobless rate highest in 30 years

BOSTON (AP) - The unemployment rate in Massachusetts rose to 9.3 percent in September, the highest its been in more than 30 years.

The jobless rate in Massachusetts remains a half point lower than the national average, which rose to 9.8 percent last month. The state rate was 9.1 percent in August.

The office of Labor and Workforce Development says the state lost another 9,200 jobs last month, with employment falling in several sectors of the economy. The largest decline of 5,800 jobs came in the leisure and hospitality industry.

Employment was also down in manufacturing, construction and government. According to the agency, the last time unemployment hit 9.3 in Massachusetts was in September 1976. The rate stood at 5.3 percent at this time a year ago.