Massachusetts Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Massachusetts fell 0.2 percentage points in March 2023 to 3.5%. The state unemployment rate was 0.0 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 13.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.5% in January 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see Massachusetts unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	March 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.5%	-0.1	-0.1
Massachusetts	3.5%	-0.2	-0.2

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

Unemployment Rate: Massachusetts, National

Massachusetts monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to March 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 453,802 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 132,399 in January 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 367. Massachusetts job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	March 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Massachusetts	132,766	-4,374	-5,531

Number of Unemployed Persons