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Puerto Rico Economy

Unemployment was 6.2% in Sep 2026.

Unemployment rate
6.2%
+0.5 pts in a year
Labor force
1,260,080
+2.3% in a year
Average annual pay
$36,419
QCEW, 2025

Unemployment rate in Puerto Rico

Monthly, seasonally adjusted, compared with the U.S.

Puerto RicoUnited States
Show as a table
PeriodPuerto Rico
Sep 20266.2%
Dec 20255.7%
Dec 20245.4%
Dec 20235.7%
Dec 20226.0%
Dec 20216.7%
Dec 20209.3%
Dec 20199.0%
Dec 20188.4%
Dec 201710.7%
Dec 201611.9%
Dec 201511.9%
Dec 201412.6%
Dec 201315.0%
Dec 201214.3%
Beta

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics · Last updated 09/01/2026

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Counties in Puerto Rico

Unemployment (Sep 2026, not seasonally adjusted), income per person (BEA) and average pay (QCEW). Largest labor force first.

Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.

#CountyUnemployment1 yearLabor forceIncome per personAverage pay
1San Juan Municipio4.2%+0.4 pts146,768-$44,252
2Bayamón Municipio4.6%+0.7 pts75,938-$33,085
3Carolina Municipio4.4%+0.5 pts66,844-$34,791
4Caguas Municipio5.5%+0.4 pts54,086-$33,068
5Ponce Municipio9.8%+0.6 pts43,126-$31,472
6Guaynabo Municipio3.4%+0.4 pts41,365-$44,601
7Toa Baja Municipio4.2%+0.2 pts32,782-$32,034
8Trujillo Alto Municipio3.1%+0.4 pts32,516-$26,823
9Arecibo Municipio7.1%+0.4 pts30,956-$32,450
10Toa Alta Municipio4.5%+0.3 pts29,682-$27,952
11Mayagüez Municipio9.8%-0.4 pts22,851-$31,581
12Río Grande Municipio4.8%+0.8 pts19,534-$31,153
13Vega Baja Municipio6.1%-0.1 pts19,179-$33,367
14Aguadilla Municipio9.1%+0.2 pts18,809-$40,246
15Gurabo Municipio4.9%+1.3 pts18,712-$34,905
16Cabo Rojo Municipio6.8%-1.5 pts18,330-$23,547
17Humacao Municipio8.1%+0.8 pts18,289-$33,589
18Canóvanas Municipio5.5%-0.2 pts18,215-$30,084
19Juana Díaz Municipio6.7%+1.3 pts16,703-$34,393
20Cayey Municipio6.1%+0.6 pts16,297-$32,354
21Hatillo Municipio5.4%+0.5 pts16,213-$25,713
22Juncos Municipio5.3%+1.3 pts16,135-$60,788
23Isabela Municipio6.9%+1.2 pts15,697-$27,552
24Cidra Municipio5.8%+1.2 pts15,543-$32,833
25Dorado Municipio5.0%-0.4 pts14,413-$36,889
All 78 counties, A to Z

Jobs and pay by industry in Puerto Rico

Private employers, annual average 2025 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)

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IndustryJobs1-year changeAverage pay
Retail trade133,168+0.5%$26,848
Health care and social assistance93,725+1.5%$33,569
Accommodation and food services93,288+2.6%$20,834
Manufacturing80,188-3.0%$47,933
Administrative and support services75,235-2.5%$24,345
Professional and technical services42,548+1.5%$56,224
Finance and insurance34,060+0.9%$57,241
Wholesale trade33,486-0.3%$48,397
Educational services26,415-0.4%$29,609
Management of companies18,409+2.0%$65,918
Other services16,884+2.1%$29,323
Real estate and rental16,557+3.4%$34,220
Agriculture, forestry and fishing7,602-2.7%$17,256
Arts, entertainment and recreation6,189+3.9%$31,262

Government employs 192,447 people (20.3% of all jobs): 20,747 federal, 119,858 state and 51,842 local.

Frequently asked questions

What is the unemployment rate in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico's unemployment rate was 6.2% in Sep 2026, seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.2% for the U.S.
Which county in Puerto Rico has the highest unemployment?
Maricao Municipio has the highest rate at 23.5%, and Culebra Municipio has the lowest at 2.0% (not seasonally adjusted).
What is the largest industry in Puerto Rico?
Retail trade is the largest private employer with 133,168 jobs, followed by health care and social assistance (93,725) and accommodation and food services (93,288).
What is the average salary in Puerto Rico?
The average annual pay for jobs covered by unemployment insurance in Puerto Rico was $36,419 in 2025, or $700 a week.