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Massachusetts Economy
Unemployment was 4.3% in Sep 2026, the 35th lowest of 51 states. Personal income averages $93,607 per person.
- Unemployment rate
- 4.3%
- -0.3 pts in a year
- Labor force
- 3,880,158
- -1.5% in a year
- Income per person
- $93,607
- BEA, 2024
- Average annual pay
- $100,085
- QCEW, 2025
Unemployment rate in Massachusetts
Monthly, seasonally adjusted, compared with the U.S.
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| Period | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 4.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 4.7% |
| Dec 2024 | 4.1% |
| Dec 2023 | 3.7% |
| Dec 2022 | 3.6% |
| Dec 2021 | 3.9% |
| Dec 2020 | 7.4% |
| Dec 2019 | 3.0% |
| Dec 2018 | 3.3% |
| Dec 2017 | 3.7% |
| Dec 2016 | 3.9% |
| Dec 2015 | 4.5% |
| Dec 2014 | 5.3% |
| Dec 2013 | 6.3% |
| Dec 2012 | 6.7% |
Beta
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics ยท Last updated 09/01/2026
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Counties in Massachusetts
Unemployment (Sep 2026, not seasonally adjusted), income per person (BEA) and average pay (QCEW). Largest labor force first.
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| # | County | Unemployment | 1 year | Labor force | Income per person | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlesex County | 3.8% | -0.3 pts | 932,913 | $112,011 | $118,479 |
| 2 | Worcester County | 4.2% | -0.3 pts | 470,233 | $71,909 | $74,037 |
| 3 | Suffolk County | 4.2% | -0.3 pts | 465,838 | $109,447 | $138,226 |
| 4 | Essex County | 4.3% | -0.2 pts | 439,969 | $86,852 | $78,072 |
| 5 | Norfolk County | 3.9% | -0.2 pts | 415,556 | $119,680 | $87,023 |
| 6 | Bristol County | 4.5% | -0.2 pts | 313,254 | $69,073 | $66,851 |
| 7 | Plymouth County | 4.2% | -0.2 pts | 292,998 | $87,818 | $72,763 |
| 8 | Hampden County | 5.3% | 0.0 pts | 225,875 | $66,238 | $64,686 |
| 9 | Barnstable County | 3.8% | 0.0 pts | 123,123 | $96,768 | $67,176 |
| 10 | Hampshire County | 3.8% | -0.4 pts | 84,724 | $65,432 | $62,831 |
| 11 | Berkshire County | 3.9% | -0.1 pts | 64,387 | $72,172 | $67,487 |
| 12 | Franklin County | 3.8% | +0.1 pts | 36,087 | $70,392 | $56,610 |
| 13 | Dukes County | 3.3% | 0.0 pts | 11,638 | $102,176 | $75,646 |
| 14 | Nantucket County | 3.0% | 0.0 pts | 10,475 | $129,250 | $82,938 |
Jobs and pay by industry in Massachusetts
Private employers, annual average 2025 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
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| Industry | Jobs | 1-year change | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 658,441 | +1.6% | $75,950 |
| Professional and technical services | 356,647 | -4.0% | $192,482 |
| Retail trade | 322,174 | -1.6% | $47,720 |
| Accommodation and food services | 299,306 | -0.2% | $36,959 |
| Manufacturing | 226,691 | -1.9% | $110,734 |
| Administrative and support services | 178,904 | -1.9% | $71,075 |
| Finance and insurance | 166,976 | -0.8% | $218,440 |
| Educational services | 158,730 | -0.3% | $86,056 |
| Other services | 117,975 | +0.7% | $55,350 |
| Wholesale trade | 117,632 | -2.6% | $134,381 |
| Management of companies | 76,443 | +2.1% | $171,122 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 66,530 | +2.2% | $57,314 |
| Real estate and rental | 48,186 | -0.6% | $110,704 |
Government employs 449,576 people (12.4% of all jobs): 44,690 federal, 119,020 state and 285,866 local.
Output and businesses in Massachusetts
Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau
- GDP
- $779B
- 2024, current dollars
- Real GDP growth
- +2.3%
- Adjusted for inflation
- Employer businesses
- 183,767
- 3,487,228 employees
- Retail trade22,55012.3%
- Professional and technical services21,96612.0%
- Construction21,63111.8%
- Health care and social assistance21,00211.4%
- Other services18,92010.3%
- Accommodation and food services18,1279.9%
- Administrative and support services11,7966.4%
- Finance and insurance9,2685.0%
- Real estate and rental8,5394.6%
- Wholesale trade6,6463.6%
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts; Census County Business Patterns 2023
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the unemployment rate in Massachusetts?
- Massachusetts's unemployment rate was 4.3% in Sep 2026, seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.2% for the U.S.
- Which county in Massachusetts has the highest unemployment?
- Hampden County has the highest rate at 5.3%, and Nantucket County has the lowest at 3.0% (not seasonally adjusted).
- What is the largest industry in Massachusetts?
- Health care and social assistance is the largest private employer with 658,441 jobs, followed by professional and technical services (356,647) and retail trade (322,174).
- What is the average salary in Massachusetts?
- The average annual pay for jobs covered by unemployment insurance in Massachusetts was $100,085 in 2025, or $1,925 a week.
- How big is Massachusetts's economy?
- Massachusetts's GDP was $779B in 2024, about $109,095 per resident.