{"schema_version": 1, "id": "barnstable-town-ma-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 104, "label": "Barnstable Town, MA MSA", "slug": "barnstable-town-ma-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-10", "public_after": "2026-10-01", "frozen_at": "2026-11-03T07:27:03.141419+00:00", "headline": "Cape Cod wages climb as workforce shrinks and housing costs outrun pay.", "headline_summary": "Barnstable County weekly wages rose 5.3% year-over-year even as employment fell 1.9% and county unemployment held near 4.2%, against a state rate of 4.3% and housing prices up 64% since 2019.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Barnstable County unemployment", "value": "4.2%", "context": "vs 3.6% in August, 4.3% statewide"}, {"label": "County weekly wage growth", "value": "5.3% YoY", "context": "Q4 2025, outpacing 1.9% employment decline"}, {"label": "Housing vs. wage growth gap", "value": "64% vs 24%", "context": "Cape Cod home prices vs wages, 2019-2023"}, {"label": "County employment level", "value": "89.9K", "context": "Q4 2025, down 1.9% YoY through March 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Wages are rising faster than the workforce is growing.", "body": "Average weekly wages in Barnstable County climbed 5.3% year-over-year through Q4 2025 while employment fell 1.9% in the twelve months through March 2026. That combination is consistent with a smaller labor pool commanding higher pay."}, {"headline": "Cape Cod Potato Chips closure signals manufacturing fragility.", "body": "Campbell's shutdown of the Hyannis facility eliminated 49 jobs in early 2026, a modest figure against the county's roughly 90,000 total employment base. The closure nonetheless underscores how few large-scale manufacturers anchor the local economy outside tourism and healthcare."}, {"headline": "Housing costs are outrunning wage gains by a wide margin.", "body": "Cape Cod housing prices rose 64% between 2019 and 2023 while average weekly wages rose only 24% over a comparable period. That gap bears directly on whether seasonal and year-round workers can remain within commuting distance of visitor-economy jobs, a structural constraint on local labor supply."}, {"headline": "Seasonal unemployment swings mask a tighter underlying labor market.", "body": "County unemployment fell to 3.6% in August, well below the state's 4.3% reading, before settling closer to 4.2% annually as tourism employment cycles down. The summer tightness suggests employers compete hard for workers during peak season, a dynamic with implications for shoulder-season capacity planning."}], "local_conditions": "Barnstable County's unemployment rate eased to 3.6% in August before settling near a county-wide 4.2% annual reading, a seasonal pattern tied to Cape Cod's tourism-dependent structure and separate from underlying demand. Weekly wages rose 5.3% year-over-year through Q4 2025 even as employment contracted 1.9% through March 2026, a divergence consistent with fewer positions carrying higher pay.", "implications": "Wage gains that outpace headcount growth point to a metro economy where businesses are paying more for a smaller available workforce, a dynamic commerce leaders should weigh against Cape Cod's housing cost trajectory \u2014 prices up 64% since 2019 against 24% wage growth \u2014 when assessing whether workers can affordably live near seasonal employment centers. Advertised pay for Customer Service Representatives ($49,873, up moderately) and Administrative/Office roles ($53,092, up moderately) suggests year-round service and administrative functions are absorbing wage pressure even as frontline hospitality pay (Food Service Worker, down moderately to $37,440) softens with the season. Local economic development leaders may want to evaluate how off-season wage softening in tourism-adjacent roles interacts with the county's broader labor force contraction when forecasting shoulder-season business activity.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Seasonal inflection point", "body": "Cape Cod's labor market typically loosens sharply as hospitality and retail activity wind down after Columbus Day; watch whether the county's unemployment rate reverts toward or above the state's 4.3% reading over the next two monthly releases."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Housing affordability continues to widen relative to wage growth, and commerce leaders should watch whether local employers report difficulty retaining off-season staff who commute from more affordable areas off-Cape."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Massachusetts' statewide labor force grew by 8,400 in September, its largest monthly gain in two years; whether Barnstable County shares in that participation rebound will signal if the county's own workforce contraction since 2025 is stabilizing."}, {"category": "Policy signal", "body": "State-level manufacturing employment gained 10,500 jobs regionally even as Cape Cod lost its Hyannis potato chip facility; local economic development officials may want to track whether any replacement manufacturing or light-industrial investment emerges to diversify the county's employment base."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31840.0, "metro_p50": 36489.6, "metro_p75": 39343.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33340.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33156.0, "metro_p50": 36504.0, "metro_p75": 38480.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31268.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32972.0, "metro_p50": 40760.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38480.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 50000.0, "metro_p50": 69371.0, "metro_p75": 81067.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 78872.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33460.0, "metro_p50": 34669.6, "metro_p75": 40398.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 34826.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 41600.0, "metro_p50": 47964.0, "metro_p75": 54080.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40726.6, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 73139.0, "metro_p50": 83316.8, "metro_p75": 87950.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 71835.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37440.0, "metro_p50": 41600.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 37440.0, "metro_p50": 49873.2, "metro_p75": 52000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33313.0, "metro_p50": 37440.0, "metro_p75": 41266.5, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33764.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 43680.0, "metro_p50": 48880.0, "metro_p75": 50960.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 41600.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 39575.5, "metro_p50": 53092.0, "metro_p75": 57200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 44552.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 62948.75, "metro_p50": 75179.2, "metro_p75": 87500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71406.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 99228.0, "metro_p50": 123219.0, "metro_p75": 133319.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 102252.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 111434.5, "metro_p50": 130625.0, "metro_p75": 130625.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 154403.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 97835.5, "metro_p50": 127071.2, "metro_p75": 162304.75, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 138000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 63440.0, "metro_p50": 70000.0, "metro_p75": 75375.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 78000.0, "metro_p50": 100000.0, "metro_p75": 107500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 94646.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60320.0, "metro_p50": 66560.0, "metro_p75": 71275.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 74477.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 49519.0, "metro_p50": 67722.4, "metro_p75": 79407.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 62916.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 77868.0, "metro_p50": 99000.0, "metro_p75": 130500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 86294.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 41890.0, "metro_p50": 61525.0, "metro_p75": 70275.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 55908.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 67283.0, "metro_p50": 70823.0, "metro_p75": 73294.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 94009.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 43753.0, "metro_p50": 76246.6, "metro_p75": 79006.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 83690.0, "metro_p50": 102500.0, "metro_p75": 115000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 98302.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 79603.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 54099.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 39998.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 37440.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 50440.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 53560.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 64222.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 64461.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 38480.0, "pay_trend_direction": "down", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "November 2026", "files": {"html": "barnstable-town-ma-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "pdf": "barnstable-town-ma-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf", "sources_html": "barnstable-town-ma-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-11-03T08:18:28.670477+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/barnstable-town-ma-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/barnstable-town-ma-msa/metro-job-market/2026-10.pdf"}