Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.7% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Worcester, MA-CT market rose by 1,875 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 5.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Worcester, MA-CT unemployment rate is 41 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 310 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 3.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment August 2021

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

  • Education & Healthcare: 64,600; -700
  • Transportation & Utilities: 52,200; -200
  • Government: 40,100; +200
  • Business Services: 28,400; +100
  • Manufacturing: 26,400; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 24,600; +900
  • Financial Services: 13,800; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 12,500; +100
  • Other Jobs: 9,200; +100
  • IT & Development: 2,900; no change
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment by Industry August 2021

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

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.