Massachusetts Gains 6,800 Jobs in March as Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.7%

BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released Massachusetts unemployment and job estimates for March 2026, with preliminary data indicating that payroll jobs increased by 6,800 for the month.

Over the past six months, Massachusetts has added 12,700 payroll jobs, including 12,200 private sector jobs and has experienced more broad-based job growth than most other states in that time. Preliminary data also shows the March unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.7%, from a revised February rate of 4.8%, and labor force participation rate decreased slightly to 65.8% from a revised February rate of 66%. April unemployment and job estimates are scheduled to be released on May 22.

BLS categories with the strongest growth month-over-month for Massachusetts employment in March include professional and business services; trade, transportation, and utilities; and private education and health services.

“Over the past six months, the labor market has experienced a period of job growth across most sectors,” said Mark Rembert, chief economist for EOLWD’s Department of Economic Research. “Sectors including healthcare and human assistance, manufacturing, construction, and transportation and warehousing have all added jobs over that period.”