Overall unemployment rate moved up to 7.4% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Worcester, MA-CT market declined by 4,551 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 7.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Worcester, MA-CT unemployment rate is 59 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 January versus prior month by 0.3% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.6%. Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 64,700; -200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 52,800; -1,200
  • Government: 39,800; -1,100
  • Business Services: 27,000; -400
  • Manufacturing: 25,700; -400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 18,800; -100
  • Financial Services: 13,800; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 9,900; -600
  • Other Jobs: 8,300; -200
  • IT & Development: 2,800; +100
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.