Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 2,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2023.

Total employment in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA market rose by 5,058 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 130 bps to 2.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 53 bps over the same time to 3.1%.

  • Providence-Warwick, RI-MA unemployment rate is 50 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 50 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 8.7% 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 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 125,600; +500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 99,800; -1,200
  • Government: 76,800; -700
  • Business Services: 75,300; +1,600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 64,700; +2,700
  • Manufacturing: 49,800; -400
  • Financial Services: 38,000; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 28,400; +900
  • Other Jobs: 25,900; -100
  • IT & Development: 6,900; no change
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Unemployment by Industry April 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2023 (Data published June 2023 and reports created on June 8,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.