Massachusetts Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Massachusetts fell 0.2 percentage points in December 2011 to 6.8%. The state unemployment rate was 1.7 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts peaked in October 2009 at 8.8% and is now 2.0 percentage points lower. You can also see Massachusetts unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Massachusetts	6.8%	-0.2	-1.5

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

Unemployment Rate: Massachusetts, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Massachusetts Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Massachusetts peaked in January 2010 at 306,457. There are now 67,189 fewer people unemployed in the state. Massachusetts job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Massachusetts	239,268	-4,855	-52,416

Number of Unemployed Persons

Massachusetts Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Massachusetts Unemployment Rate	Massachusetts Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	6.8%	239,268
November 2011	8.7%	7.0%	244,123
October 2011	8.9%	7.3%	253,408
September 2011	9.0%	7.3%	255,018
August 2011	9.1%	7.4%	257,930
July 2011	9.1%	7.6%	263,059
June 2011	9.1%	7.6%	263,669
May 2011	9.0%	7.6%	265,458
April 2011	9.0%	7.8%	272,174
March 2011	8.9%	8.0%	281,732
February 2011	9.0%	8.2%	288,081
January 2011	9.1%	8.3%	290,750