Unemployment Ticks Up to 3.6 Percent for August

Latest Figures Show Slight Increase

The unemployment rate in Massachusetts rose slightly in August, though employers added 6,400 new jobs, state officials reported Friday.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced a 3.6 percent jobless rate for August, up from 3.5 percent the month before, but still below the national rate of 3.7 percent reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The labor force decreased by an estimated 2,200 people from 3,765,000 in July — 6,300 fewer residents were employed this month, but 4,100 registered for unemployment, remaining in the labor force.

Compared to last year, however, the labor force is up 4,300 residents from the August 2021 estimate of 3,758,900. The largest private sector job gains over the last month were in leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation and utilities, education and health services.

State officials reported that Massachusetts has gained back 632,500 jobs since April 2020, and from August 2021 to August 2022, Massachusetts has gained 126,400 new jobs, EOLWD said citing the Bureau of Labor Statistics.