Home Economy Economic Activity R.I. monthly unemployment rises to 4.7% in March

R.I. monthly unemployment rises to 4.7% in March

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PBN Staff

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04/30/2026

5Rd7c8jv-X7ZY26P9-Unemployment-AP-file-Lynne-Sladky-1-2-1 (1) — RHODE ISLAND’S seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was 4.7%, up from 4.6% in February, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said Thursday. / AP FILE PHOTO/LYNNE SLADKY

CRANSTON – Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was 4.7%, up from 4.6% in February, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said Thursday. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in March, down from 4.4% in February, according to the DLT. The Rhode Island jobless rate was 4.5% in March 2025, while the U.S.

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CRANSTON – Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was 4.7%, up from 4.6% in February, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said Thursday. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in March, down from 4.4% in February, according to the DLT. The Rhode Island jobless rate was 4.5% in March 2025, while the U.S. rate was 4.2%. The DLT says the number of unemployed Rhode Islanders in March – those actively looking for work – was 27,400, up 200 from February and 800 from a year ago. The number of employed residents was 559,800 in March, down 1,900 from February and 8,200 year over year, the DLT said. Overall, the state’s labor force totaled 587,200 in March, down 1,700 from February and 7,400 from March 2025. The state’s nonfarm jobs in March totaled 514,600, a decrease of 500 from the revised February jobs figure of 514,100 and down 1,300 from March 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 400 jobs. Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payrolls in Rhode Island by sector in March:

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

Administrative and waste services: 26,900, a decrease of 500 since February and 600 year over year.

Arts, entertainment and recreation: 8,900, same as February and year over year.

Construction: 22,700, up 200 from February and 100 year over year.

Educational services: 28,200, down 100 from February and 600 year over year.

Finance and insurance: 28,100, same as February but down 600 year over year.

Government: 64,700, same as February but down 1,000 year over year.

Healthcare and social assistance: 88,500, up 500 since February and 1,600 year over year.

Information: 5,200, same as February but down 400 year over year..

Management of companies and enterprises: 9,300, same as February but down 500 year over year.

Manufacturing: 39,400, up 100 since February but down 100 year over year. Production workers in the sector earned $26.03 per hour in March, 36 cents higher than in February and up 6 cents from March 2025.

Professional, scientific and technical services: 31,200, down 100 since February but up 100 year over year.

Real estate, rental and leasing: 6,400, down 200 in February and 100 year over year.

Retail trade: 46,100, up 200 from February but down 700 year over year.