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

Boston, MA — Local unemployment rates decreased in four of twelve labor market areas and increased in four of twelve labor market areas in the state during the month of June 2026 compared to May 2026, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.

Compared to June 2025, rates were down in nine of the twelve labor market areas and were unchanged in three labor market areas.

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

The largest percentage increases occurred in the Barnstable Town, MA(+7.6%), Amherst Town-Northampton, MA(+2.5%), and Pittsfield, MA(+2.4%) areas.

From June 2025 to June 2026, all seven areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Springfield, MA(+1.5%), Worcester, MA (+0.8%), and Boston,MA Metropolitan Division (+0.6%) areas.

The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 8,400 jobs in June, and an over-the-year gain of 18,000 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 June 2026 was 0.2 percentage points lower than the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.4%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of June 2026 was 4.4%, 0.1 percentage point below the revised May 2026 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June 2026 decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2%. 

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.

Note: The preliminary July 2026 and revised June 2026 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, August 21, 2026; local unemployment statistics will be released on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. See the 2026 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.

• Monthly Unemployment area comparisons (PDF)
• Monthly Employment area comparisons (PDF)
• Most recent month Unemployment all MA cities and towns
• Statewide Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment
• Statewide Seasonally Adjusted Employment
• Statewide Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment
• Statewide Not Seasonally Adjusted Employment
• Labor Force and Unemployment Data
• Current Employment Statistics Data

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration.