The state’s total unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent in September, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

This is down 1.4 percent from the same time last year.

The preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate Massachusetts lost 7,100 jobs in September, primarily in the education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities, construction, and manufacturing sectors. However, year-to-date, Massachusetts has added 46,900 jobs.

Estimates show that 3.4 million Massachusetts residents were employed in September, and 163,100 were unemployed, for a total labor force of nearly 3.57 million. This total labor force decreased by 21,900 from 3.6 million in August, as 17,200 fewer residents were employed and 4,600 fewer residents were unemployed over the month.

The September state unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate of 5.1 percent reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“The Massachusetts unemployment rate continues to decline. Although the state experienced job losses in September, the overall jobs picture is strong,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker II said in a statement.