The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has reported that the total unemployment rate in Massachusetts for November was 2.9 percent, marking a 0.1 percentage point increase from October’s revised estimate of 2.8 percent. Initial job estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggest that Massachusetts gained 3,200 jobs in November, which is viewed as a recovery from October’s revised loss of 500 jobs.

Significant gains in job numbers were observed in Leisure and Hospitality, Financial Activities, and Government. Current employment is now at 3,786,200, with Massachusetts gaining 724,600 jobs since the employment low in April 2020. From November 2022 to November 2023, BLS estimates indicate that Massachusetts gained 66,100 jobs.

Compared to the national rate of 3.7 percent, Massachusetts’ November unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points lower. The state’s labor force saw an increase of approximately 7,700 from October’s revised estimate of 3,721,400, with 2,400 more residents finding employment, and 5,300 more residents looking for work over the month.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, Massachusetts’ year-over-year unemployment rate decreased by 0.8 percentage point. November’s labor force participation rate - which includes residents aged 16 or older who worked or actively sought work in the last four weeks – increased by 0.1 percentage point to hit 64.6 percent.

Detailed labor market data is available at www.mass.gov/economicresearch. The updated unemployment rates, labor force, and job estimates for December 2023 will be released on January 19, 2024.