Press Release: 4/2/2025
Latest Seasonally Unadjusted Unemployment and Job Estimates for Local Labor Markets in Massachusetts for February 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/01/2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
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Email Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications at matthew.kitsos2@mass.gov
BOSTON — Local unemployment rates increased in all twelve labor market areas in the state during the month of February 2025 compared to January 2025, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.
Compared to February 2024, rates were up in all twelve labor market areas.
Of the seven areas for which employment estimates are published, five MSA areas gained jobs compared to the previous month. The largest percentage increases occurred in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA (+1.4%), Springfield, MA (+0.9%), and Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, MA Metropolitan Division (+0.4%) areas.
From February 2024 to February 2025, four areas gained payroll jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Barnstable Town, MA (+5.9%), Springfield, MA (+0.4%), and Worcester, MA (+0.2%) areas.
The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary payroll jobs estimate showed a decrease of 2,400 payroll jobs in February, and an over-the-year loss of 8,100 payroll 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 February 2025 was 5.0%, up 0.3 percentage points from the revised January 2025 estimate and was 0.5 percentage points above the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.5%.
Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of February 2025 was 4.3%, up 0.1 percentage point compared to the revised January 2025 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February 2025 increased 0.1 percentage point to 4.1%.
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.
NOTES: The preliminary March 2025 and revised February 2025 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, April 18, 2025; local unemployment statistics will be released on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Detailed labor market information is available at http://www.mass.gov/EconomicResearch. See the 2025 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration.