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

Boston — Local unemployment rates decreased in nine of the twelve labor market areas and increased in two of the twelve labor market areas in the state during the month of September 2026 compared to August 2026, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.

Compared to September 2025, rates were down in seven of the twelve labor market areas and were up in one labor market area.

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 Barnstable Town, MA(-6.9%), Pittsfield, MA(-2.2%), and Amherst Town-Northampton, MA(-1.8%) areas.

From September 2025 to September 2026, six areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Barnstable Town, MA(+2%), Worcester, MA (+0.9%), and Pittsfield, MA (+0.5%) areas.

The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed an increase of 3,500 jobs in September, and an over-the-year gain of 16,300 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 September 2026 was 0.1 percentage point higher than the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.0%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of September 2026 was 4.3%, equal to the revised August 2026 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2026 increased 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.