Massachusetts Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Massachusetts rose 0.2 percentage points in October 2023 to 2.8%. The state unemployment rate was 1.1 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 14.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.5% in July 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.3 percentage points. You can also see Massachusetts unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	+0.1	+0.2
Massachusetts	2.8%	+0.2	-1.0

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

Unemployment Rate: Massachusetts, National

Massachusetts monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to October 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 483,841 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 91,874 in July 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 10,853. Massachusetts job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Massachusetts	102,727	+6,192	-38,499

Number of Unemployed Persons