As the state as a whole gained 6,700 jobs in May, the Norwich-New London area saw a reduction of 1,000 positions, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics released Thursday.

Norwich-New London has gained only 200 jobs over the past year, according to the report, and was one of only two labor areas in the state to show lower employment in May than in April. The other area with losses was Danbury, which showed 600 fewer jobs in May than in the previous month.

Meanwhile April's previously reported statewide job loss of 1,500 was revised downward to 3,100 in the new report. So far this year, Connecticut has gained 11,000 jobs over last year's numbers.

"May payroll job estimates show a sharp increase over April and job growth through May is far ahead of last year's pace," Andy Condon, director of the Office of Research, said in a statement. "Workers are entering or rejoining the labor force and most are finding employment."

May's unemployment rate of 4.9 percent was unchanged from April. The rate is four-tenths of a point lower than last year's 5.3 percent jobless rate.

Connecticut has now recovered 79 percent of the 119,100 jobs it lost during the Great Recession, though private employment has now nearly regained all of its lost jobs. Still, the overall and private job recovery rates are far below the recovery rates of the nation as a whole.

Among other labor markets, Bridgeport-Stamford led the way in the report on May employment, with 3,700 job gains, while the Hartford area was up by 2,700 jobs.

l.howard@theday.com