Home Economy Economic Activity R.I. monthly unemployment rises to 4.6% in February

R.I. monthly unemployment rises to 4.6% in February

By

PBN Staff

-

04/16/2026

RHODE ISLAND’S seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 4.6%, up from 4.5% in January, according to the R.I. Department of Labor and Training. / AP FILE PHOTO/LYNNE SLADKY

CRANSTON – Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 4.6%, up from 4.5% in January, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said Thursday. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.4% in February, up from 4.3% in January, according to the DLT. The Rhode Island jobless rate was 4.5% in February 2025, while the U.S.

Already a Subscriber? Log in

To Continue Reading This Article

Become a Providence Business News subscriber and get immediate access to all of our premier content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Critical RI business news and analysis updated daily.
1 year of print (26 issues).
Unlimited access to all subscriber only content on our website, on any device.
Free email alerts.
Annual Book of Lists Print Edition.
All special issues produced during subscription term.

Click Here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article

PBN Branded Content

Cross Insurance Expands Rhode Island Presence with New Providence Office

Cross Insurance is strengthening its presence in Rhode Island with its new Providence office, a…

Learn More

No posts to display

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

CRANSTON – Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 4.6%, up from 4.5% in January, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said Thursday. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.4% in February, up from 4.3% in January, according to the DLT. The Rhode Island jobless rate was 4.5% in February 2025, while the U.S. rate was 4.2%. The DLT says the number of unemployed Rhode Islanders in February – those actively looking for work – was 27,200, up 400 from January and 500 from a year ago. The number of employed residents was 567,100 in February, down 2,500 from January and 6,200 year over year, the DLT said. Overall, the state’s labor force totaled 588,900 in February, down 2,100 from January and 5,800 from February 2025. The state’s nonfarm jobs in February totaled 513,700, a decrease of 1,000 from the January jobs figure of 514,700 and down 1,800 from February 2025, the DLT said. These jobs exclude farming and some government, private and nonprofit workers. Over the past three months, the Rhode Island economy has added 500 jobs, or an average monthly gain of under 200. Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payrolls in Rhode Island by sector in February:

Accommodation and food services: 52,600, a decrease of 600 since January but up 500 year over year.

Administrative and waste services: 27,500, an increase of 600 since January and 200 year over year.

Arts, entertainment and recreation: 8,900, down 400 since January and 100 year over year.

Construction: 22,500, down 300 from January and 100 year over year.

Educational services: 28,200, up 800 from January but down 500 year over year.

Finance and insurance: 28,100, down 100 from January and 600 year over year.

Government: 64,700, up 200 from January but down 1,100 year over year.

Health care and social assistance: 87,900, down 600 since January but up 1,100 year over year.

Information: 5,200, down 100 since January and 400 year over year.

Management of companies and enterprises: 9,300, down 200 since January and 600 year over year.

Manufacturing: 39,200, up 100 since January but down 100 year over year. Production workers in the sector earned $25.67 per hour in February, 43 cents higher than in January but down 7 cents from February 2025.

Professional, scientific and technical services: 31,400, same as January but up 200 year over year.

Real estate, rental and leasing: 6,700, up 100 from January and 200 year over year.

Retail trade: 45,900, down 300 from January and 800 year over year.

Transportation, warehousing and utilities: 17,300, down 200 from January but up 600 year over year.