Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Worcester, MA-CT market rose by 1,567 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 4.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 28 bps over the same time to 4.1%.

  • Worcester, MA-CT unemployment rate is 26 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 290 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 9.4% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Worcester, MA-CT Unemployment February 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 68,000; +700
  • Transportation & Utilities: 53,100; +100
  • Government: 42,700; +1,000
  • Business Services: 31,700; +200
  • Manufacturing: 26,600; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 22,300; +100
  • Financial Services: 13,500; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 10,300; -200
  • Other Jobs: 9,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,800; no change
Worcester, MA-CT 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.