The unemployment rate in Massachusetts experienced a slight increase in April, escalating by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.6%, according to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. This comes in contrast with the national unemployment rate, which continued to be steady at 4.2%. This marks the fourth consecutive month that both the state’s labor force and unemployment rate have grown. When compared to April 2024, the labor force included around 52,000 more people while the unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points higher.

Nonetheless, businesses added roughly 7,700 jobs in April following an increase of 2,800 positions in March. Mark Rembert, the Chief Economist of the Department of Economic Research, stated that the job market remained steady despite economic challenges. This stability is primarily driven by more people entering the labor force and looking for work, which indicates that the rise in the unemployment rate does not stem from increased layoffs or new unemployment claims.

However, the future of local economic growth in Massachusetts remains uncertain due to impending factors at the federal level. Federal economists projected a slow growth pace and stated that the possible negative effects of trade wars may surface this year, impacting American workers. Recent layoffs at Microsoft and other notable companies like Dow, CNN, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines and Meta also hint at job market volatility.

Furthermore, the Labor Department’s recent report revealed an increase in the four-week average of claims, indicating a rise in the number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits. As per the report, the count went up by 9,000 to reach a total of 1.88 million for the week of May 3.

For individuals in Massachusetts seeking assistance and information about their unemployment status, contacting the EDD (Employment Development Department) may be necessary. The EDD is dedicated to providing services in job search and placement, payroll tax depositing, labor market planning, unemployment and disability insurance, among other services. If you need help reaching out to the EDD or you have queries regarding unemployment, eddcaller.com provides a user-friendly platform to connect with the EDD office. Through the website, you can get comprehensive guidelines on how to get a hold of edd customer service and access solutions to your unemployment-related concerns.