Overall unemployment rate moved down to 7.2% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA market rose by 7,209 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 7.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.

  • Providence-Warwick, RI-MA unemployment rate is 102 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 250 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 3.7% and are down 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 March 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 121,600; +1,200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 97,200; -200
  • Government: 73,200; +100
  • Business Services: 68,600; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 49,500; +2,200
  • Manufacturing: 48,900; +400
  • Financial Services: 36,700; +300
  • Construction, Mining: 24,000; +800
  • Other Jobs: 23,600; +400
  • IT & Development: 5,800; -100
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Unemployment by Industry March 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.