Massachusetts Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Massachusetts fell 0.2 percentage points in April 2012 to 6.3%. The state unemployment rate was 1.8 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts peaked in October 2009 at 8.7% and is now 2.4 percentage points lower. You can also see Massachusetts unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	April 2012	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.1%	-0.1	-0.9
Massachusetts	6.3%	-0.2	-1.2

Unemployment Rate: Massachusetts, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Massachusetts Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Massachusetts peaked in December 2009 at 302,355. There are now 86,107 fewer people unemployed in the state. Massachusetts job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	April 2012	Month/Month	Year/Year
Massachusetts	216,248	-9,682	-41,869

Number of Unemployed Persons

Massachusetts Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Massachusetts Unemployment Rate	Massachusetts Unemployed
April 2012	8.1%	6.3%	216,248
March 2012	8.2%	6.5%	225,930
February 2012	8.3%	6.9%	238,016
January 2012	8.3%	6.9%	237,249
December 2011	8.5%	6.9%	237,718
November 2011	8.7%	7.0%	241,543
October 2011	8.9%	7.1%	245,691
September 2011	9.0%	7.2%	249,946
August 2011	9.1%	7.4%	253,630
July 2011	9.1%	7.4%	255,927
June 2011	9.1%	7.4%	256,790
May 2011	9.0%	7.4%	257,030
April 2011	9.0%	7.5%	258,117