BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts unemployment rate continues to fall as the state adds more jobs.

The Office of Labor and Workforce Development released new figures on Thursday showing that the state’s jobless rate fell to 6 percent in May, down from 6.3 percent in April.

The Massachusetts rate was well below the national unemployment rate of 8.2 percent.

Officials say preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Massachusetts gained about 7,500 jobs during the month.

According to the latest figures, the state has added nearly 38,000 jobs in the first five months of 2012, with the largest May gains coming in the professional, scientific, and business services sectors.

Massachusetts’ unemployment rate peaked at 8.7 percent in October 2009. Since then 89,000 more residents are employed.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.