Worcester, MA-CT, 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.
Unemployment rates for the Worcester area,
selected area cities, towns, and the nation
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Worcester area, 3rd quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,027; Area = $999)
Unemployment rates
4.7
United States
4.1
4.1
Worcester area
4.1
3.2
Grafton town,
MA
3.4
3.3
Holden town,
MA
3.0
3.0
Shrewsbury
town, MA
3.1
4.4
Worcester city,
MA
4.4
0.0
2.0
4.0
Apr-16
6.0
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
Percent
Worcester area employment
(numbers in thousands)
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Apr-14
Worcester area
Apr-15
United States
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Apr-17
Total nonfarm
Mining, logging, and construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Change from Apr.
Apr. 2017
2016 to Apr. 2017
Number
Percent
2.3
0.5
0.1
0.1
-0.1
-0.1
-0.9
1.4
0.4
0.2
0.7
0.8
5.0
0.4
0.2
-2.6
-0.7
-3.3
2.1
1.6
1.9
1.6
285.4
10.6
27.9
52.9
3.8
15.1
26.0
68.1
24.9
11.0
45.1
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, March 2017
16.0
Percent
10.0
13.6
14.0
12.0
Boston area
U.S. city average
10.0
6.0
4.0
6.0
2.5
2.0
2.4
2.0
0.5
0.0
-2.0
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Food and beverage stores
8.0
10.9
8.0
4.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
0.0
-0.4
All Items
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
$25.08
$23.86
General and operations managers
58.08
58.70
Registered nurses
38.94
34.70
Accountants and auditors
37.32
36.89
Police and sheriff's patrol officers
28.38
30.17
Construction laborers
22.27
18.22
Office clerks, general
16.85
15.87
Team assemblers
16.75
15.65
Nursing assistants
14.48
13.29
Personal care aides
14.02
10.92
Retail salespersons
12.96
13.07
Waiters and waitresses
12.95
11.73
Cooks, fast food
12.00
9.89
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, December
2016
Worcester
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
4.5
12-month percent changes in ECI
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
Boston area
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