Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Worcester, MA-CT market rose by 4,703 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Worcester, MA-CT unemployment rate is 91 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 270 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 5.7% 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 November 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 67,200; +100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 54,000; +600
  • Government: 42,400; +300
  • Business Services: 29,200; no change
  • Manufacturing: 26,500; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 22,200; -800
  • Financial Services: 13,400; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 12,500; +100
  • Other Jobs: 8,700; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,900; no change
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment by Industry November 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.