BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts unemployment rate remained below 3% for another month, with the state gaining 7,100 jobs in August.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate the private sector added 6,700 jobs, with gains in the professional, scientific and business services, construction, and financial activities sectors. That kept the unemployment rate at 2.9%.

Manufacturing jobs remained unchanged. About 400 government jobs were added.

From August 2018 to August 2019, Massachusetts added an estimated 43,600 jobs.

The labor force increased by 3,300 in July, with 3,800 more residents employed and 500 fewer residents unemployed.

The state’s labor force participation rate — the number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — remained at 67.6%.