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

Boston, MA — June 20, 2023 -  Local unemployment rates decreased in twenty-one labor market areas and remained unchanged in three labor market areas in the state during the month of May 2023 compared to April 2023, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.

Compared to May 2022, the rates were down in twenty-four labor market areas.

Of the fifteen areas for which employment estimates are published, fourteen NECTA areas gained jobs compared to the previous month. The largest percentage increases occurred in the Barnstable Town (+4.8%), Lawrence-Methuen Town-Salem MA-NH (+1.5%), and Peabody-Salem-Beverly (+1.4%) areas.

From May 2022 to May 2023, fourteen areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Peabody-Salem-Beverly (+3.5%), Barnstable Town  (+3.4%), and Boston-Cambridge-Newton (+3.2%) areas.

The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 5,700 jobs in May, and an over-the-year gain of 105,100 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 May 2023 was 2.3%, down 0.1 percentage points from the revised April 2023 estimate and 1.1 percentage points below the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.4%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of May 2023 was 2.8%, down 0.3 percentage points from the revised April 2023 estimate of 3.1%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2023 was 3.7%.

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 methodology specified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

NOTES: The preliminary June 2023 and the revised May 2023 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, July 21, 2023; local unemployment statistics for June 2023 will be released on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Detailed labor market information is available at http://www.mass.gov/EconomicResearch. See the 2023 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.

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