Department of Numbers

Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Albany rose 0.1 percentage points in November 2023 to 3.2%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 1.1 percentage points lower than the New York rate. The unemployment rate in Albany peaked in April 2020 at 14.3% and is now 11.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.7% in April 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.5 percentage points. You can also compare Albany unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.7% -0.1 +0.1
New York 4.3% +0.1 +0.2
Albany 3.2% +0.1 +0.2
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with November 2023 data as December metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Albany, New York, National

Albany, New York monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Albany, New York Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Albany peaked in April 2020 at 64,971. There are now 49,747 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 12,616 in April 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 2,608. Albany employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Albany, New York) is also available.

Unemployed Persons November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Albany 15,224 +690 +1,624

Number of Unemployed Persons

Albany, New York Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
New York
Unemployment Rate
Albany
Unemployment Rate
Albany
Unemployed
December
2023
3.7%
November
2023
3.7% 4.3% 3.2% 15,224
October
2023
3.8% 4.2% 3.1% 14,534
September
2023
3.8% 4.0% 3.0% 13,782
August
2023
3.8% 3.9% 2.9% 13,343
July
2023
3.5% 3.9% 2.8% 12,830
June
2023
3.6% 3.9% 2.8% 12,774
May
2023
3.7% 3.9% 2.8% 12,710
April
2023
3.4% 4.0% 2.7% 12,616
March
2023
3.5% 4.1% 2.8% 12,995
February
2023
3.6% 4.2% 2.9% 13,253
January
2023
3.4% 4.2% 3.0% 13,559

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.