Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.7% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 14,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.

Total employment in the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH market declined by 5,390 jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.7%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH unemployment rate is 19 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is equal to the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 0.5% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH Unemployment February 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 611,100; +14,800
  • Business Services: 539,500; +3,100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 407,000; -4,300
  • Government: 315,000; +4,500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 237,800; -4,400
  • Financial Services: 189,800; +1,000
  • Manufacturing: 182,000; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 122,300; -100
  • Other Jobs: 98,900; -400
  • IT & Development: 83,500; +100
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH Unemployment by Industry February 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.