The state’s December total unemployment rate dropped by 1.3 percentage points at 3.9 percent from the revised November estimate of 5.2 percent, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday. 
 
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts gained 20,100 jobs in December. This follows last month’s revised gain of 14,200 jobs. The largest over the month private sector job gains were in Leisure and Hospitality, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, and Educational and Health Services. Since the employment trough in April 2020, Massachusetts has gained 537,000 jobs. 
 
From December 2020 to December 2021, BLS estimates Massachusetts gained 222,200 jobs.  The largest over the year gains occurred in Leisure and Hospitality; Professional, Scientific, and Business Services; and Education and Health Services. 
 
The December unemployment rate of 3.9 percent was the same as the national rate reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.