Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.0% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 3,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA market declined by 6,124 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 42 bps over the same time to 3.3%.

  • Providence-Warwick, RI-MA unemployment rate is 34 bps below the national rate which is a positive 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 April versus prior month by 7.7% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Unemployment April 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.9% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 125,800; +1,700
  • Transportation & Utilities: 102,800; +100
  • Business Services: 77,100; +3,800
  • Government: 75,900; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 62,900; +2,600
  • Manufacturing: 49,900; +200
  • Financial Services: 37,100; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 26,200; +1,600
  • Other Jobs: 26,000; +1,000
  • IT & Development: 6,600; no change
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Unemployment by Industry April 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 1, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.