Press Release  Latest Seasonally Unadjusted Unemployment and Job Estimates for Local Labor Markets in Massachusetts for November 2024

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

Compared to November 2023, rates were up in all twenty-four labor market areas.

Of the fifteen areas for which employment estimates are published, seven NECTA area gained jobs compared to the previous month. The largest percentage increases occurred in the Leominster-Gardner (+0.9%), Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton  (+0.5%), and Worcester MA-CT (+0.2%) areas. The largest percentage decrease occurred in the Barnstable Town (-2.3%) area.

From November 2023 to November 2024, fourteen areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Barnstable Town (+3.1%), Leominster-Gardner  (+1.7%), and Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead (+1.5%) areas.

The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 800 jobs in November, and an over-the-year gain of 27,100 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 November 2024 was 3.9%, up 0.2 percentage points from the revised October 2024 estimate and was 0.1 percentage point below 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 November 2024 was 4.0%, up 0.1 percentage point compared to the revised October 2024 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November 2024 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 December 2024 and the revised November 2024 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, January 24, 2025; local unemployment statistics for December 2024 will be released on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Detailed labor market information is available at http://www.mass.gov/EconomicResearch. See the 2024 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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