Overall unemployment rate moved down to 7.3% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Worcester, MA-CT market declined by 3,356 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 7.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Worcester, MA-CT unemployment rate is 75 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 370 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 0.4% 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 February 2021

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

  • Education & Healthcare: 65,200; +500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 52,000; -800
  • Government: 40,100; +300
  • Business Services: 27,100; +200
  • Manufacturing: 25,400; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 19,100; +500
  • Financial Services: 13,800; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 9,500; -300
  • Other Jobs: 8,300; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,800; no change
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.