News  Unemployment and Job Estimates in Local Labor Markets for August 2026

Boston, MA — Local unemployment rates decreased in all twelve labor market areas in the state during the month of August 2026 compared to July 2026, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to August 2025, rates were down in seven of the twelve labor market areas and were up in two labor market areas.

Of the five MSA areas and two Metropolitan Divisions for which employment estimates are published, all seven areas lost jobs compared to the previous month.

The largest percentage decreases occurred in the Boston, MA Metropolitan Division (-1.2%), Pittsfield, MA (-1.2%), and Barnstable Town, MA (-1.1%) areas. From August 2025 to August 2026, five areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Worcester, MA (+1.9%), Amherst Town-Northampton, MA (+1.7%), and Springfield, MA (+1.1%) areas. The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed a decrease of 7,100 jobs in August, and an over-the-year gain of 8,300 jobs.

In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for August 2026 was 0.1 percentage point higher than the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.3%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of August 2026 was 4.3%, 0.1 percentage point lower than the revised July 2026 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August 2026 remained at 4.1%.

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.

Local unemployment statistics for September will be released on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.