Press Release  Latest Seasonally Unadjusted Unemployment and Job Estimates for Local Labor Markets in Massachusetts for March 2025

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates increased in one of twelve labor market areas and decreased in seven of twelve labor market areas in the state during the month of March 2025 compared to February 2025, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.

Compared to March 2024, rates were up in all twelve labor market areas.

Of the seven MSA areas for which employment estimates are published, all areas gained jobs compared to the previous month. The largest percentage increases occurred in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA (+0.8%), Boston, MA Metropolitan Division (+0.6%), and Barnstable Town, MA (+0.6) areas.

From March 2024 to March 2025, four areas lost payroll jobs with the largest percentage decreases seen in the Pittsfield, MA (-0.7%), Boston, MA Metropolitan Division(-0.5%), and Worcester, MA (-0.3%) areas.

In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for March 2025 was 5.0%, equal to the revised February 2025 estimate and was 0.8 percentage points above the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.2%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of March 2025 was 4.4%, up 0.1 percentage point compared to the revised February 2025 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March 2025 increased 0.1 percentage point to 4.2%.

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.

NOTES: The preliminary April 2025 and revised March 2025 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, May 16, 2025; local unemployment statistics will be released on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Detailed labor market information is available at http://www.mass.gov/EconomicResearch. See the 2025 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration.

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