Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.9% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA market rose by 2,660 jobs in July and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 5.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Providence-Warwick, RI-MA unemployment rate is 24 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 720 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 4.9% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Unemployment July 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 118,200; -100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 99,600; -400
  • Business Services: 72,300; +300
  • Government: 71,600; -1,500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 68,200; +3,900
  • Manufacturing: 51,500; +600
  • Financial Services: 37,500; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 28,400; no change
  • Other Jobs: 24,800; +300
  • IT & Development: 6,200; +200
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.