Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.8% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 33,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.

Total employment in the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH market declined by 26,445 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.

  • Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH unemployment rate is 24 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 380 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 4.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH Unemployment September 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 559,600; +4,500
  • Business Services: 525,400; -6,400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 400,700; -2,600
  • Government: 304,300; +33,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 230,000; -17,500
  • Manufacturing: 183,200; -800
  • Financial Services: 181,600; -700
  • Construction, Mining: 129,000; -1,500
  • Other Jobs: 90,100; -3,000
  • IT & Development: 82,300; -100
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH Unemployment by Industry September 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.