Rhode Island Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Rhode Island rose 0.3 percentage points in September 2022 to 3.1%. The state unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Rhode Island peaked in April 2020 at 18.4% and is now 15.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.7% in June 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also see Rhode Island unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	September 2022	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.5%	-0.2	-1.2
Rhode Island	3.1%	+0.3	-2.3

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

Unemployment Rate: Rhode Island, National

Rhode Island monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to September 2022

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Rhode Island Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Rhode Island peaked in April 2020 at 100,265. There are now 82,602 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 15,339 in July 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 2,324. Rhode Island job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	September 2022	Month/Month	Year/Year
Rhode Island	17,663	+1,315	-13,187

Number of Unemployed Persons