BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts' monthly unemployment rate has fallen for the first time in nearly 2½ years and just one month after hitting the highest level since 1976.

The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday that the unemployment rate dropped from 9.3 percent in September to 8.9 percent in October, the first monthly decline since June 2007.

The jobless rate in October 2008 was 5.8 percent.

The state says the professional, scientific and business services; education and health services; government; and construction sectors added jobs.

Jobs were lost in the manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; information; and financial activities sectors.

The loss of 900 jobs during the month was offset by a growth in the labor force of 1,500.