Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.0% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Worcester, MA-CT market rose by 1,905 jobs in July and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 6.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Worcester, MA-CT unemployment rate is 34 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 400 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 2.1% 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 July 2021

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

  • Education & Healthcare: 65,100; -500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 52,300; -1,000
  • Government: 40,300; -700
  • Business Services: 28,300; +400
  • Manufacturing: 26,400; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 24,000; +1,600
  • Financial Services: 13,800; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 12,400; +500
  • Other Jobs: 9,200; +200
  • IT & Development: 2,900; +100
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.