Massachusetts Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Massachusetts fell 0.1 percentage points in October 2018 to 3.5%. The state unemployment rate was 0.2 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts peaked in December 2009 at 8.8% and is now 5.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.5% in October 2017, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see Massachusetts unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	October 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.4
Massachusetts	3.5%	-0.1	0.0

Unemployment Rate: Massachusetts, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Massachusetts Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Massachusetts peaked in January 2010 at 304,530. There are now 170,462 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 127,127 in January 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 6,941. Massachusetts job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Massachusetts	134,068	-1,735	+5,231

Number of Unemployed Persons

Massachusetts Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Massachusetts Unemployment Rate	Massachusetts Unemployed
October 2018	3.7%	3.5%	134,068
September 2018	3.7%	3.6%	135,803
August 2018	3.9%	3.6%	137,270
July 2018	3.9%	3.6%	135,777
June 2018	4.0%	3.5%	133,409
May 2018	3.8%	3.5%	131,037
April 2018	3.9%	3.5%	130,021
March 2018	4.1%	3.5%	128,752
February 2018	4.1%	3.5%	127,587
January 2018	4.1%	3.5%	127,127
December 2017	4.1%	3.5%	128,878
November 2017	4.1%	3.5%	128,589