Press Release  Massachusetts Unemployment Remains Unchanged at 4.7% for November 2025

BOSTON — Today, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released Massachusetts unemployment and job estimates for November, with preliminary data indicating that payroll jobs increased by 2,400 in November, following an increase of 4,600 in October.Preliminary data shows 6,200 fewer individuals were employed, including individuals in private and non-profit jobs, self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs, and individuals who may have retired or left the workforce for other reasons. Additionally, the unemployment rate (4.7%) remained unchanged and labor force participation rate (66.6%) decreased slightly.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) categories with the strongest growth month over month for Massachusetts employment includes 1) Professional and Business Services (+3,900), 2) Financial Activities (+600), and 3) Manufacturing (+500).

December unemployment and job estimates will be released on January 23, 2026. October State Employment and Unemployment or Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment news releases will not be published due to the shutdown; BLS Current Employment Statistics (CES) is available as revised data and referenced above.

“The labor market remains slow but stable. We are seeing low hiring rates, but we are also seeing low unemployment claims through November,” said EOLWD’s Department of Economic Research Chief Economist Mark Rembert. “This suggests that while businesses are cautious about adding new roles or backfilling due to attrition, they are reluctant to let go of the workers they currently have.”

Building on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s workforce agenda, collaboration with employers continue with a focus on attracting, retaining, and developing talent in Massachusetts. A few recent highlights that connect to this strategy includes:

• The administration recently awarded $2.2 million to 11 organizations to train 389 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to the workforce for job opportunities needed in culinary, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and healthcare.
• The administration recently awarded $1.8 million in Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce (GROW) to eight organizations to train and place more than 300 apprentices for careers in early childhood education across the state.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE MONTHLY JOBS AND EMPLOYMENT REPORT

• The Massachusetts unemployment rate in November remained unchanged to 4.7 percent. The national unemployment rate increased to 4.6%.
• The state’s labor force participation rate decreased to 66.6 percent. Since January 2023, Massachusetts labor force has increased by 185,000 a 4.9 percent change which places Massachusetts in the top 5 among states.
• The labor force decreased in November by 6,900 for a total of approximately 3,954,100.
• 800 fewer residents were unemployed in November.

For a detailed overview of the BLS data, please visit mass.gov/economicresearch and November BLS Unemployment and Jobs Estimates. 

Labor Market Quick Links

• Unemployment and Labor Force Data
• Employment Information by Industry
• Employment Information by Occupation
• Information on Massachusetts Employers
• Labor Market Information 101

Career Services Quick Links

MassHire Career Centers and online services like MassHire JobQuest and MassTalent support jobseekers who are between jobs, exploring new opportunities, or seeking career advancement in Massachusetts. Find a MassHire Career Center location near you.

Business Services Quick Links

MassHire Business Services Representatives are available in person across Massachusetts to help employers recruit and grow their workforce. Employers working with MassHire canpost job openings on MassHire JobQuest, connect with jobseekers at specialized job fairs, and access a range of workforce resources.

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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