BOSTON — October 24, 2023 - Local unemployment rates decreased in twenty-three labor market areas and remained unchanged in one labor market area in the state during the month of September 2023 compared to August 2023, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.

Compared to September 2022, the rates were down in twenty-four labor market areas.

Of the fifteen areas for which employment estimates are published, seven NECTA areas lost jobs compared to the previous month. The largest percentage decreases occurred in the Barnstable Town (-7.7%), Pittsfield (-1.7%), and Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury Town MA-NH (-1.2%) areas.

From September 2022 to September 2023, fifteen areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Barnstable Town (+3.1%), Boston-Cambridge-Newton (+3.1%), and Leominster-Gardner (+2.9%) areas.

The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed a decrease of 19,600 jobs in September, and an over-the-year gain of 90,600 jobs.

In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for September 2023 was 2.5%, down 0.4 percentage point from the revised August 2023 estimate and 1.1 percentage points below the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.6%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of September 2023 was 2.6%, unchanged from the revised August 2023 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2023 was 3.8%.

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 methodology specified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

NOTES: The preliminary October 2023 and the revised September 2023 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, November 17, 2023; local unemployment statistics for October 2023 will be released on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Detailed labor market information is available at http://www.mass.gov/EconomicResearch. See the 2023 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.

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