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

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates decreased in all twelve labor market areas in the state during the month of March 2026 compared to February 2026, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to March 2025, rates were up in eight of twelve labor market areas and decreased in one of twelve 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 (+1.3%), Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, MA Metropolitan Division (+0.7%), and Worcester, MA (+0.4%) areas.

From March 2025 to March 2026, five areas lost jobs with the largest percentage decreases seen in the Boston, MA Metropolitan Division(-1.3%), Amherst Town-Northampton, MA (-0.9%), and Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, MA Metropolitan Division (-0.5%) areas.

The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 6,800 jobs in March, and an over-the-year loss of 7,500 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 March 2026 was 4.6%, 0.3 percentage points above 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 March 2026 was 4.7%, 0.1 percentage point below the revised February 2026 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March 2026 was 4.3%.

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 April 2026 and revised March 2026 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, May 22, 2026; local unemployment statistics will be released on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Detailed labor market information is available at mass.gov/EconomicResearch. See the 2026 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.

• Monthly Unemployment area comparisons
• Monthly Employment area comparisons
• 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.