- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
- Department of Economic Research
Media Contact
Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
BOSTON — Local unemployment rates increased in all twelve labor market areas in the state during the month of January 2026 compared to December 2025, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to January 2025, rates were up in eleven of twelve labor market areas.
Of the five MSA areas and two Metropolitan Divisions for which employment estimates are published, all seven areas lost jobs compared to the previous month.
The largest percentage decreases occurred in the Barnstable Town, MA (-3.7%), Amherst Town-Northampton, MA (-3.5%), and Boston, MA Metropolitan Division (-2.1%) areas.
From January 2025 to January 2026, three areas lost jobs with the largest percentage decreases seen in the Pittsfield, MA(-1.2%), Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, MA Metropolitan Division (-1.2%), and Boston, MA Metropolitan Division (-1.1%) areas.
The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 3,700 jobs in January, and an over-the-year loss of 13,600 jobs.
In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for January 2026 was 5.2%, 0.6 percentage points above the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.6%.
Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of January 2026 was 4.7%, equal to the revised December 2025 estimate.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2026 was 4.3%.
The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.
The estimates for labor force, unemployment rates, and jobs for Massachusetts are based on different statistical methodologies specified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Note: The preliminary February 2026 and revised January 2026 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, April 17, 2026; local unemployment statistics will be released on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Detailed labor market information is available at mass.gov/EconomicResearch. See the 2026 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.
- Monthly Unemployment area comparisons
- Monthly Employment area comparisons
- Most recent month Unemployment all MA cities and towns
- Statewide Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment
- Statewide Seasonally Adjusted Employment
- Statewide Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment
- Statewide Not Seasonally Adjusted Employment
- Labor Force and Unemployment Data
- Current Employment Statistics Data
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration.
Media Contact
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
