Massachusetts Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Massachusetts fell 0.0 percentage points in January 2020 to 2.8%. The state unemployment rate was 0.8 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 6.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.8% in August 2019, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see Massachusetts unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.6%	+0.1	-0.4
Massachusetts	2.8%	0.0	-0.3

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

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 198,302 fewer people unemployed in the state. Massachusetts job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
Massachusetts	106,228	-401	-12,310

Number of Unemployed Persons

Massachusetts Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Massachusetts Unemployment Rate	Massachusetts Unemployed
February 2020	3.5%	—	—
January 2020	3.6%	2.8%	106,228
December 2019	3.5%	2.8%	106,629
November 2019	3.5%	2.8%	106,510
October 2019	3.6%	2.8%	106,619
September 2019	3.5%	2.8%	107,363
August 2019	3.7%	2.8%	108,402
July 2019	3.7%	2.9%	109,603
June 2019	3.7%	2.9%	110,809
May 2019	3.6%	2.9%	112,148
April 2019	3.6%	3.0%	113,738
March 2019	3.8%	3.0%	115,441