Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.7% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 3,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA market rose by 6,018 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 4.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 28 bps over the same time to 4.1%.

  • Providence-Warwick, RI-MA unemployment rate is 56 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 320 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 4.3% and are down 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 February 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.9% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 123,500; +3,500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 101,400; -700
  • Government: 75,200; +500
  • Business Services: 73,600; -400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 58,700; +1,400
  • Manufacturing: 49,700; +800
  • Financial Services: 37,000; -300
  • Other Jobs: 25,300; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 24,000; +600
  • IT & Development: 6,700; -100
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Unemployment by Industry February 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 6, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.