Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.4% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA market declined by 22,076 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 4.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Providence-Warwick, RI-MA unemployment rate is 14 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 230 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 5.3% 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 October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 121,300; +1,700
  • Transportation & Utilities: 100,400; +1,300
  • Government: 75,200; -200
  • Business Services: 72,800; +600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 61,100; -1,400
  • Manufacturing: 51,200; +200
  • Financial Services: 36,800; -400
  • Construction, Mining: 27,800; no change
  • Other Jobs: 24,700; +400
  • IT & Development: 6,300; +100
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.