Home Economy Economic Activity R.I. monthly unemployment falls to 4.5% in April

R.I. monthly unemployment falls to 4.5% in April

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PBN Staff

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05/21/2026

ssWnkpgN-5Rd7c8jv-X7ZY26P9-Unemployment-AP-file-Lynne-Sladky-1-2-1-1 — RHODE ISLAND’S seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 4.5%, down from 4.7% in March, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said Thursday. / AP FILE PHOTO/LYNNE SLADKY

CRANSTON – Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 4.5%, down from 4.7% in March, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said Thursday. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in April, same as March, according to the DLT. The Rhode Island jobless rate was 4.4% in April 2025, while the U.S. rate was

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CRANSTON – Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 4.5%, down from 4.7% in March, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said Thursday. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in April, same as March, according to the DLT. The Rhode Island jobless rate was 4.4% in April 2025, while the U.S. rate was 4.2%. The DLT says the number of unemployed Rhode Islanders in April – those actively looking for work – was 26,500, down 900 from March but up 100 from a year ago. The number of employed residents was 557,400 in April, down 2,400 from March and 10,700 year over year, the DLT said. Overall, the state’s labor force totaled 583,900 in April, down 3,300 from March and 10,600 from April 2025. The state’s nonfarm jobs in April totaled 514,700, a decrease of 500 from the revised March jobs figure of 515,200 and down 2,600 from April 2025, the DLT said. These jobs exclude farming and some government, private and nonprofit workers. Over the past three months, the Rhode Island job count has been, on average, unchanged, The DLT said. Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payrolls in Rhode Island by sector in April:

Accommodation and food services: 53,100, an increase of 200 since February and up 1,000 year over year.

Administrative and waste services: 27,200, an increase of 200 since March but down 600 year over year.

Arts, entertainment and recreation: 8,900, down 200 since March but same year over year.

Construction: 22,500, down 200 since March but same year over year.

Educational services: 28,800, up 400 since March and 200 year over year.

Finance and insurance: 28,100, down 100 since March and 700 year over year.

Government: 64,700, same as March but down 1,200 year over year.

Healthcare and social assistance: 87,900, down 600 since March but up 700 year over year.

Information: 5,200, down 100 since March and 500 year over year.

Management of companies and enterprises: 9,300, down 100 since March and 500 year over year.

Manufacturing: 39,700, up 300 since March and 400 year over year. Production workers in the sector earned $25.91 per hour in April, 34 cents higher than in March but down 14 cents from April 2025.

Professional, scientific and technical services: 31,300, same as March but up 100 year over year.

Real estate, rental and leasing: 6,300, same as March but down 100 year over year.