Massachusetts Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Massachusetts rose 0.1 percentage points in November 2023 to 2.9%. The state unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts peaked in April 2020 at 16.9% and is now 14.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.5% in July 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also see Massachusetts unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	-0.1	+0.1
Massachusetts	2.9%	+0.1	-0.8

Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Massachusetts, National

Massachusetts monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to November 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Massachusetts Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Massachusetts peaked in April 2020 at 586,568. There are now 478,778 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 91,874 in July 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 15,916. Massachusetts job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Massachusetts	107,790	+5,310	-31,788

Number of Unemployed Persons