Press Release  Massachusetts’ Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 4.4%; Labor Force Participation Remains Steady in July

Boston — Today, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released Massachusetts unemployment and job estimates for July 2026, with preliminary data indicating that payroll jobs decreased by 4,600 for the month, following a revised increase of 6,000 jobs in June. Massachusetts has added 17,800 payroll jobs, including 15,900 private sector jobs, since September. Preliminary data also shows the July unemployment rate remained at 4.4% and Labor Force Participation Rate remained at 65.3%.

BLS categories with the strongest growth month-over-month for Massachusetts employment in July includes 1) Private Education and Health Services (+1,900), 2) Other Services (+1,200), and 3) Professional and Business Services (+1,100).

“The unemployment rate and labor force participation rate were unchanged, while jobs fell slightly in July,” said EOLWD’s Department of Economic Research Chief Economist Mark Rembert. “While Massachusetts job growth remains strong, we continue to monitor labor market trends for challenges and opportunities, including for workers 25 and 54, who are experiencing high labor force participation and low unemployment rates and younger workers who face a more challenging labor market currently.”

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

• Governor Healey recently announced $6 million in Business Builds Capital Grants to support six major business expansion projects across Massachusetts. The projects will leverage more than $300 million in private investment, create an expected 1,000 new jobs, and will help companies expand facilities, modernize equipment, and advance industry-leading technologies. 
• Last week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $15.5 million in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) grants to 24 organizations to train 1,636 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the skilled trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors across Massachusetts. 
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $5.9 million in workforce development grant funding for 12 initiatives across Massachusetts, representing partnerships with employers, training providers, and regional collaborators to train, upskill, and provide job placement for 951 workers for in-demand occupations in health care, logistics, education, information technology and more.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassVentures announced $4.5 million in grants to 26 Massachusetts startups developing cutting-edge technologies in life sciences, robotics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy and other growing industries.
• TIME Magazine this week recognized nine Massachusetts startup incubators and accelerators among the best in the country – more than any state except California.
• U.S. News & World Report this week found that Massachusetts has the highest share of top-performing public high schools of any state in the country, with 47 percent of eligible Massachusetts high schools ranking in the top quarter nationally. 

Key takeaways from the monthly jobs and employment report

• The Massachusetts unemployment rate in July remained at 4.4 percent. The national unemployment rate is 4.1 percent.
• The state’s Labor Force Participation Rate remained at 65.3 percent. Massachusetts Labor Force Participation Rate is 3.9 percentage points higher than the national rate.
• The labor force decreased in July by 2,700 with 200 fewer people employed and 2,500 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 website. August unemployment and job estimates are scheduled to be released on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Labor Market Quick Links

• 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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