Press Release  Latest Seasonally Unadjusted Unemployment and Job Estimates for Local Labor Markets in Massachusetts for May 2023

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates increased in twenty-two of twenty-four labor market areas in the state during the month of May 2024 compared to April 2024, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.

Compared to May 2023, the rates were up in twenty-two of twenty-four labor market areas.

Of the fifteen areas for which employment estimates are published, all fifteen NECTA areas gained jobs compared to the previous month. The largest percentage increases occurred in the Barnstable Town (+4%), Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury Town MA-NH (+2%), and Pittsfield (+1.8%) areas.

From May 2023 to May 2024, eleven areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Barnstable Town (+2.5%), Pittsfield (+2.3%), and Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead (+1.8%) areas.

The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 4,200 jobs in May, and an over-the-year gain of 21,200 jobs.

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 May 2024 was 3.8%, up 0.7 percentage points from the revised April 2024 estimate and was the 0.1 percentage points above the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.7%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of May 2024 was 3.0%, up 0.1 percentage point compared to the revised April 2024 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2024 increased by 0.1 percentage point over-the-month to 4.0%.

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 July 2024 and the revised June 2024 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, August 16, 2024; local unemployment statistics for July 2024 will be released on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Detailed labor market information is available at http://www.mass.gov/EconomicResearch. See the 2024 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.

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