The Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped slightly to 7 percent in December, but remained above the national unemployment rate for the second straight month, according to statistics from the Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

The December jobless rate was lower than the November rate of 7.1 percent but still 0.3 percent higher than the December 2012 rate of 6.7 percent. The national unemployment rate dipped to 6.7 percent in December from 7 percent in November, putting it 0.3 percent below the Massachusetts jobless rate. The Bay State’s unemployment rate jumped ahead of the national unemployment rate for the first time in six years in November.

The Massachusetts private sector added 10,400 jobs in December as professional, scientific, and business services; trade, transportation, and utilities; leisure and hospitality; financial activities; and other services all added jobs. From December 2012 through December 2013, Massachusetts added 55,500 jobs in total, 54,500 of which were in the private sector. Revised BLS estimates show 5,100 jobs were added in November.