Providence, RI-MA, Area Economic Summary
Updated May 31, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Unemployment rates for the Providence area,
selected area cities, and the nation
Providence area, 3rd quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,027; Area = $960)
Unemployment rates
4.7
United States
4.1
5.0
Providence area
4.2
5.1
Cranston city, RI
4.0
6.9
Fall River city,
MA
7.0
6.2
Providence city,
RI
5.0
4.3
Warwick city, RI
3.4
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
Apr-16
Apr-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
Providence area employment
(numbers in thousands)
Percent
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
-0.5
Apr-14
Providence area
Apr-15
United States
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Apr-17
Total nonfarm
Mining and logging
Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Apr.
2017
Change from Apr.
2016 to Apr. 2017
Number
Percent
1.3
0.0
2.3
-0.1
0.0
-0.5
-0.4
-0.6
1.7
-1.6
-0.1
0.6
0.2
0.0
10.4
-0.2
0.0
-5.3
-1.1
-0.8
1.3
-2.4
-0.4
0.8
584.1
0.2
24.4
50.9
98.6
8.9
35.7
71.0
129.5
65.4
27.4
72.1
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
• www.bls.gov/ro6
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, April 2017
10.0
8.9
Northeast region
U.S. city average
8.0
Percent
10.0
9.3
6.0
4.0
4.0
0.0
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Food and beverage stores
8.0
6.0
2.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
1.9
2.0
2.2
0.8
All Items
0.0
0.5
Food
-2.0
Energy
-4.0
Apr-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Northeast Region average annual expenditures 2015
Apr-15
Healthcare
$4,328
7.3%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$7,103
12.0%
Food
$6,882
11.7%
Transportation
$9,026
15.3%
Total:
$58,976
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
$24.57
$23.86
Accountants and auditors
37.31
36.89
Registered nurses
36.37
34.70
Construction laborers
21.36
18.22
Customer service representatives
17.96
16.91
Social and human service assistants
16.52
16.41
Team assemblers
14.63
15.65
Retail salespersons
14.47
13.07
Stock clerks and order fillers
13.63
12.82
Home health aides
13.21
11.35
Cooks, restaurant
12.97
12.23
Cooks, fast food
12.22
9.89
Waiters and waitresses
11.59
11.73
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, December
2016
Providence
area
Total, all occupations
Housing
$20,817
35.3%
Apr-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$10,820
18.3%
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
New England
(1)
$39.27
27.61
11.66
2.90
1.51
1.10
3.23
1.54
2.89
(1) New England includes CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$32.76
22.83
9.93
2.28
1.17
1.15
2.63
1.31
2.56
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
12.0
12-month percent changes in ECI
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
-2.0
Mar-14
New England
Mar-15
United States
Mar-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
New England Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/new-england • 617-565-2327
Mar-17