- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
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Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
BOSTON — Local unemployment rates increased in nine labor market areas and decreased in three labor market areas in the state during the month of May 2025 compared to April 2025, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.
Compared to May 2024, rates were up in all twelve labor market areas.
Of the seven MSA areas for which employment estimates are published, six areas gained jobs compared to the previous month. The largest percentage increases occurred in the Barnstable Town, MA(+4.3%), Pittsfield, MA(+2.1%), and Worcester, MA(+0.7%) areas.
From May 2024 to May 2025, four areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Barnstable Town, MA(+2.6%), Springfield, MA (+0.4%), and Amherst Town-Northampton, MA (+0.1%) areas.
The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 3,200 jobs in May, and an over-the-year gain of 4,800 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 2025 was 5.2%, 0.6 percentage points higher than the revised April 2025 estimate and 1.2 percentage points above the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.0%.
Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of May 2025 was 4.8%, up 0.2 percentage points compared to the revised April 2025 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2025 held constant at 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 June 2025 and revised May 2025 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, July 18, 2025; local unemployment statistics will be released on Tuesday, July 22, 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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