Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 7,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.

Total employment in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA market rose by 43,205 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 140 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.

  • Providence-Warwick, RI-MA unemployment rate is 4 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 550 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% 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 September 2021

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

  • Education & Healthcare: 119,600; +1,900
  • Transportation & Utilities: 99,300; +700
  • Government: 75,000; +5,700
  • Business Services: 72,400; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 63,200; -7,000
  • Manufacturing: 50,800; -300
  • Financial Services: 36,900; -500
  • Construction, Mining: 27,800; -500
  • Other Jobs: 24,200; -1,000
  • IT & Development: 6,100; no change
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA 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.