- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
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Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
BOSTON — Today, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released Massachusetts unemployment and job estimates for June, with preliminary data indicating 1,100 more Massachusetts residents gained employment, which includes individuals in private and non-profit jobs plus self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs, while payroll jobs decreased by 1,900. Additionally, while more individuals entered the Massachusetts labor force in June, the labor force participate rate and unemployment rate remained unchanged. Preliminary data is based on survey data provided by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Payroll jobs did experience growth in some BLS categories including 1) Education and Health Services, 2) Construction, and 3) Trade, Transportation, and Utilities. In addition to payroll data, BLS also reports preliminary data that indicates 1,100 more Massachusetts residents were employed in June for a total 3,767,900; employed residents, this data includes individuals who are self-employed (e.g. contractors, physicians, and drivers) and are not captured in payroll job data.
“As more Massachusetts residents enter the labor force, it is vital that we continue to make investments in job training, reduce barriers to employment, and connect untapped talent to local career opportunities,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “We are encouraged that data shows job postings remain stable—and growing for some industries—and our administration is dedicated to helping employers build their workforce right here in Massachusetts.”
This month, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced key investments in the state’s workforce, including a $10 Million Investment in Workforce Training for English Learners and $2.7 million in RISE workforce grants to fund ESOL services, career readiness wraparound supports, and job training and placement services to eligible participants.
Some other workforce highlights over the month include:
- The Executive Office of Education released new data in early July showing a 40 percent increase in students attending community college through MassReconnect, a major strategic education, workforce and economic investment.
- CNBC named Massachusetts the Most Improved State for Business.
Among recent company visits, Secretary Jones met with members of the Cape & Islands MassHire Workforce Board to tour SenCorpWhite, a leading advanced manufacturing company and provider of unique end-to-end automated solutions for the packaging and management of our client’s products.
“SencorpWhite is actively recruiting for multiple roles across our organization—including software engineering, information technology, customer service, field service, engineering and sales,” said SenCorpWhite Director of Human Resources Noelle Forde. “As a Massachusetts-based manufacturer located on Cape Cod, we continue to invest in local talent to support our innovation and growth.”
- EOLWD also released its second Apprentice Jobs Report to highlight job creation generated by the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s registered apprenticeship program, combining technical training and on-the-job training for employment in construction and expanded industries. For the first half of this year, the largest number of apprentice jobs were created in general construction and electrical apprenticeships, followed by refrigeration/HVAC, plumbing, and health care. Since April, the administration registered 595 new apprentices; the start of the administration, Massachusetts has added 9,394 new registered apprenticeship jobs. For more detailed information and to learn more about EOLWD’s registered apprenticeship program, visit mass.gov/apprenticeship.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE MONTHLY JOBS AND EMPLOYMENT REPORT
The Massachusetts labor force grew by an estimated 3,100 individuals in the past month, bringing the estimated labor force to 3,959,500. The state’s labor force participation rate remained at 66.9 percent. The state’s preliminary unemployment rate in June remained at 4.8 percent. Additional takeaways include:
- Estimated Employed Residents increased in June by 1,100, which include self-employed individuals. 131,413 more Massachusetts residents have gained employment since January 2023, a change of 3.6 percent compared to 2 nationally.
- Estimated payroll jobs decreased in June by 1,900. The largest gains were in Education and Health Services (+1,500 jobs), Construction (+1,000 jobs), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+400). This follows a revised increase of 3,700 payroll jobs in May.
- The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained at 66.9% and is 4.6 percentage points higher than the national average. Since January 2023, the Massachusetts labor force has increased by 190,322, a 5 percent change which places Massachusetts in the top 3 among states.
"The labor market shows continued signs of resilience in the face of heightened uncertainty,” said EOLWD’s Department of Economic Research Chief Economist Mark Rembert. “Initial unemployment insurance claims were down in June compared to the previous year, and job posting activity remains steady. While the data suggests a slowdown in the pace of hiring due to economic uncertainty, employers continue to seek new talent, and a growing number Massachusetts residents are seeking employment opportunities.”
For a detailed overview of the BLS data, please visit mass.gov/economicresearch and June BLS Unemployment and Jobs Estimates.
Labor Market Quick Links
Massachusetts Labor Market Data
Find labor market information for Massachusetts, including employment and wage data, unemployment and labor force participation rates, projections, industry and occupational statistics and other workforce statistical information by different labor market areas.
Learn about the different types of labor market information (LMI) resources offered by the Department of Economic Research.
2025 Massachusetts Workforce Data Report & Dashboard
Access workforce demographic data collected from Massachusetts employers, including race/ethnicity, gender, job title, and industry. View key insights or read the full report, plus explore an interactive dashboard and download aggregate data.
Employer and Jobseeker Resources
Massachusetts employers and residents can visit MassTalent and create a free MassHire JobQuest account, for employers to search for talent and for jobseekers to access job openings and explore opportunities like Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Clean Energy, Technology, and Health and Human Services.
Employers looking to promote job openings, recruit for talent, or explore available job training programs to attract, retain, or develop their workforce can benefit from the menu of employer resources available through MassHire. Visit mass.gov/Workforce.
MassHire career centers and online services are available for jobseekers in between jobs, seeking a new opportunity, or aiming for career growth. MassHire’s comprehensive services include personalized career guidance, informative workshops, specialized training programs, valuable job referrals, expert resume assistance, and access to a wide array of job listings. Visit mass.gov/CareerCenters. Visit here.
Note: The unemployment rate is based on a household survey, while job estimates come from an employer survey. Because these surveys are separate, the two statistics may show different trends from month to month. The Unemployment and Jobs Report for July is scheduled for released on August 15, 2025.
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