Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.3% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 4,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD market rose by 35,444 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 2.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD unemployment rate is 132 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 100 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 1% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Unemployment March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 269,700; +1,800
  • Transportation & Utilities: 252,600; +4,100
  • Business Services: 245,900; +3,700
  • Government: 223,400; +2,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 118,900; +3,600
  • Construction, Mining: 83,300; +1,200
  • Financial Services: 77,300; +500
  • Manufacturing: 57,800; -400
  • Other Jobs: 49,300; no change
  • IT & Development: 16,200; +100
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.