BALTIMORE, MD – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Friday released state jobs and unemployment data.

According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland’s unemployment rate remained at 3.8%. Maryland continues to be in its longest stretch of unemployment below 4% since 2008. Maryland’s total jobs decreased by 4,100 in July.

Last month, the Education and Health Services sector experienced the most growth with an increase of 4,300 jobs from the Educational Services (1,700) and Health Care and Social Assistance (2,600) subsectors. Other sectors that experienced growth include: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (500); Information (300); Financial Activities (200); and Leisure and Hospitality (100).

Several sectors experienced a decline, including the Professional and Business Services sector, which decreased by 2,300 jobs from the Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services (2,200) and the Management of Companies and Enterprises (200) subsectors. This decline was offset by an increase of 100 jobs in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector. Other sectors that experienced decline last month include: Other Services (1,100); Manufacturing (1,000); and Mining, Logging, and Construction (100).

June’s preliminary jobs estimate was revised upwards by 1,700 jobs, from a loss of 7,000 to a loss of 5,300.