Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.8% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 6,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD market rose by 3,907 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 5.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD unemployment rate is 75 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 230 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 4.8% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Unemployment February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 272,100; +6,600
  • Business Services: 236,100; +600
  • Transportation & Utilities: 233,000; -5,100
  • Government: 219,600; +3,500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 94,600; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 76,800; -1,000
  • Financial Services: 75,300; -900
  • Manufacturing: 58,400; -1,400
  • Other Jobs: 44,900; -100
  • IT & Development: 15,800; +100
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.