BOSTON, MA November 19, 2024 --- Local unemployment rates increased in eighteen of twenty-four labor market areas and held constant in six labor market areas in the state during the month of October 2024 compared to September 2024, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.

Compared to October 2023, rates were up in all twenty-four labor market areas.

Of the fifteen areas for which employment estimates are published, thirteen NECTA area gained jobs compared to the previous month.  The largest percentage increases occurred in the Worcester MA-CT (+0.8%), Springfield MA-CT (+0.7%), and Taunton-Middleborough-Norton (+0.6%) areas. The largest percentage decrease occurred in the Barnstable Town (-1.1%) area.

From October 2023 to October 2024, thirteen areas gained jobs with the largest percentage increases seen in the Barnstable Town (+3.2%), Taunton-Middleborough-Norton (+1.6%), and Lynn-Saugus-Marblehead (+1.5%) areas.

The statewide seasonally adjusted preliminary jobs estimate showed a decrease of 200 jobs in October, and an over-the-year gain of 32,900 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 October 2024 was 3.7%, up 0.1 percentage point from the revised September 2024 estimate and was 0.2 percentage points below the nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.9%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the month of October 2024 was 3.9%, up 0.1 percentage point compared to the revised September 2024 estimate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2024 held steady at 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 November 2024 and the revised October 2024 unemployment rates, labor force data and jobs estimate for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, December 20, 2024; local unemployment statistics for November 2024 will be released on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Detailed labor market information is available at https://www.mass.gov/EconomicResearch . See the 2024 Media Advisory for complete list of release dates.