Unemployment Remains at 4.8%, Unchanged for Fourth Consecutive Month
Labor force grows by 2,100
BOSTON – Today, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released Massachusetts unemployment and job estimates for August, with preliminary data indicating 3,600 more Massachusetts residents gained employment, which includes individuals in private and non-profit jobs plus self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs, while payroll jobs decreased by 3,800. This follows a revised increase of 2,100 payroll jobs in July.
Additionally, 2,100 individuals in August entered the Massachusetts labor force for a total of approximately 3,963,700. The labor force participation rate (66.9%) and unemployment rate (4.8%) remained unchanged. Preliminary data is based on survey data provided by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Despite a net loss in payroll jobs this month, there was some positive growth in BLS categories including 1) Professional, Scientific, Business Service (+1,000), 2) Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+900), and 3) Other Services (+700). In addition to payroll data, BLS also reports preliminary data that indicates 3,600 more Massachusetts residents were employed in August and 22,300 over-the-year. Employed residents’ data includes individuals who are self-employed (e.g. contractors, physicians, and drivers) and is not captured in payroll job data.
“While this latest report offers a sign of somewhat stability amid economic uncertainty, the Healey-Driscoll administration remains focused on the people within our workforce—impacted workers seeking unemployment benefits, unemployed and underemployed individuals ready to access the job market and training opportunities, and employers eager to find skilled workers or to collaborate with training providers to attract, retain, and develop talent in Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones.
"The good news this month is that the Massachusetts labor market shows signs of continued stability, even as the national economic picture worsens,” said EOLWD’s Department of Economic Research Chief Economist Mark Rembert. “Yet, it's a complex and delicate stability. The unemployment rate is stable but remains elevated for some workers, particularly young workers. Employment is stable, but job growth has slowed, nationally and in Massachusetts. Job postings remain stable, but the hiring outlook is uncertain. This combination continues to create a challenging environment for job seekers.”
The Healey-Driscoll administration’s workforce agenda continues to be a resource to collaborate with workforce partners in attracting, retaining, and developing talent in Massachusetts. A few highlights that connect to this strategy includes:
- This month, the Healey-Driscoll administration celebrated the award of more than $6 million by the US Department of Labor (USDOL) for Massachusetts to expand Registered Apprenticeship and early childhood educator apprenticeships.
- The administration recently awarded $3 million in Adult Education and Workforce Training Grants to help over 600 residents gain the language skills they need to succeed in in-demand jobs, connect to career pathways, and fully participate in the state’s economy.
- The administration also awarded $290,000 in August for job training for young adults with disabilities.
- Earlier this week, Governor Healey convened the first meeting of the DRIVE Initiative, bringing together leaders in health care, research, academia, and industry focused on retaining world-class talent and strengthening the innovation economy in regions statewide. As part of this initiative, DRIVE will feature a sub-committee focused on jobs and talent.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE MONTHLY JOBS AND EMPLOYMENT REPORT
The Massachusetts labor force grew by an estimated 2,100 individuals in the past month, bringing the estimated labor force to 3,963,700. The state’s labor force participation rate remained at 66.9 percent. The state’s preliminary unemployment rate in August remained at 4.8 percent. Additional takeaways include:
- Estimated payroll jobs decreased in August by 3,800. The largest gains were in Professional, Scientific, Business Service (+1,000), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+900), and Other Services (+700). This follows a revised increase of 2,100 payroll jobs in July.
- Estimated Employed Residents increased in August by 3,600, which include self-employed individuals. Over the year, 22,300 more Massachusetts residents have gained employment.
- The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained at 66.9% and is 4.6 percentage points higher than the national average. Since January 2023, Massachusetts labor force has increased by 195,000, a 5.2 percent change which places Massachusetts in the top 5 among states.
For a detailed overview of the BLS data, please visit mass.gov/economicresearch and August BLS Unemployment and Jobs Estimates .
Labor Market Quick Links
Massachusetts Labor Market Data & Resources
Visit the recently updated mass.gov/EconomicResearch to explore dashboards and access labor market data, trends, and research insights. Find information about unemployment, labor force participation, occupations, industries, and more for Massachusetts and its regions.
Learn about the different types of labor market information (LMI) resources offered by the Department of Economic Research.
2025 Massachusetts Workforce Data Report & Dashboard
Access workforce demographic data collected from Massachusetts employers, including race/ethnicity, gender, job title, and industry. View key insights or read the full report, plus explore an interactive dashboard and download aggregate data.
Employer and Jobseeker Resources
Massachusetts employers and residents can visit MassTalent and create a free MassHire JobQuest account, for employers to search for talent and for jobseekers to access job openings and explore opportunities like Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Clean Energy, Technology, and Health and Human Services.
Employers looking to promote job openings, recruit for talent, or explore available job training programs to attract, retain, or develop their workforce can benefit from the menu of employer resources available through MassHire. Visit mass.gov/Workforce.
MassHire career centers and online services are available for jobseekers in between jobs, seeking a new opportunity, or aiming for career growth. MassHire’s comprehensive services include personalized career guidance, informative workshops, specialized training programs, valuable job referrals, expert resume assistance, and access to a wide array of job listings. Visit mass.gov/CareerCenters. Visit here.
Note: The unemployment rate is based on a household survey, while job estimates come from an employer survey. Because these surveys are separate, the two statistics may show different trends from month to month. The Unemployment and Jobs Report for September is scheduled for released on October 17, 2025.
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