The Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped to 6.5 percent in February, down from 6.7 percent in January, as the local economy created 500 jobs last month, the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday.

The current national unemployment rate is 7.7 percent. Through January, the Massachusetts unemployment rate had held steady at 6.7 percent for four straight months.

Earlier this month, the office initially reported that the Bay State economy had created an estimated 16,100 jobs during January. In Thursday’s press release, the office revised that number upward to 18,900 jobs.

Analysts using the data break out the local economy into 10 sectors such as construction; leisure and hospitality; and education and health services.

Five of the Massachusetts economy’s 10 sectors added jobs during February, with the largest gain coming in the Professional, Scientific, and Business Services sector.

Like the national economy, the Massachusetts seems to be moving toward economic recovery. But fretting about political debates in Washington over federal tax and spending policies, many employers appear reluctant to hire.