Press Release  Massachusetts’ Gains 8,400 Jobs in June; Unemployment Rate Drops Again

Boston — Today, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released Massachusetts unemployment and job estimates for June 2026, with preliminary data indicating that payroll jobs increased by 8,400 for the month, following a revised decrease of 4,100 jobs in May. Massachusetts has added more than 24,800 payroll jobs, including 21,700 private sector jobs, since September. Preliminary data also shows the June unemployment rate dropped to 4.4% and labor force participation rate decreased slightly to 65.3%.

BLS categories with the strongest growth month-over-month for Massachusetts employment in June includes 1) Private Education and Health Services (+5,900), 2) Construction (+3,700), 3) Professional and Business Services (+2,300), and 4) Manufacturing (+400)

“In June, Massachusetts saw the unemployment rate drop again and continues to see strong payroll job growth, with average monthly job growth outpacing the U.S. over the past year,” said EOLWD’s Department of Economic Research Chief Economist Mark Rembert. “That job growth has been broad-based across industries, including health care and social assistance, education, construction, manufacturing, and professional and business services.”

In recent weeks, the Healey-Driscoll has announced or highlighted several investments tied to job creation, training, and workforce opportunities. Highlights include:

• Last week, Governor Healey signed the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) state budget, delivering a balanced spending plan that lowers costs for families, strengthens schools and transportation, supports cities and towns, invests in housing and health care, and enhances public safety, all without raising new taxes or fees.
• Released Building Massachusetts, a new Impact Report highlighting how the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s capital investments are helping lower housing costs, improve transportation, strengthen communities and create jobs across Massachusetts.
• Celebrated a $31.2 million investment to help families afford child care and get off waitlists through the Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) program. The funding stems from the FY26 Fair Share supplemental budget signed by Governor Healey in June and is part of the administration’s broader efforts to make child care and early education more accessible and affordable in Massachusetts.
• Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) awarded $52 million in tax credits to businesses to create and retain jobs. These projects are expected to create 2,793 net new jobs, retain 1,503 existing jobs statewide, and leverage more than $1.4 billion in private investment. 

Key takeaways from the monthly jobs and employment report

• The Massachusetts unemployment rate in June dropped again to 4.4 percent. The national unemployment rate is 4.2 percent.
• The state’s Labor Force Participation Rate decreased slightly to 65.3 percent. Retirement continues to be a primary driver for the decline in the Labor Force Participation Rate. The Massachusetts Labor Force Participation Rate is 3.8 percentage points higher than the national rate.
• The labor force decreased in June by 6,000 with 500 fewer people employed and 5,500 fewer unemployed. This includes individuals who have retired or left the workforce for other reasons and individuals who are self-employed and entrepreneurs. 

For a detailed overview of the BLS data, please visit the Department of Economic Research and the June BLS Unemployment and Jobs Estimates overview sheet. July unemployment and job estimates are scheduled to be released on Friday, August 21, 2026.

Labor Market Quick Links

• Overview of Unemployment Rates
• Unemployment and Labor Force Data
• Employment Information by Industry
• Employment Information by Occupation
• Labor Market Information 101 

MassHire Services

MassHire provides free workforce services for both jobseekers and employers across Massachusetts.Jobseekers can explore job openings through MassHire JobQuest, attend hiring events, access training opportunities, and receive personalized support at a local MassHire Career Center. Employers can connect with Business Services Representatives to recruit their workforce and participate in job fairs to support hiring and business growth.

Note: The unemployment rate is based on a household survey, while job estimates come from an employer survey. Because these surveys are separate, the two statistics may show different trends from month to month.

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