{"schema_version": 1, "id": "boston-cambridge-quincy-ma-nh-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 74, "label": "Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH MSA", "slug": "boston-cambridge-quincy-ma-nh-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-09", "public_after": "2026-09-01", "frozen_at": "2026-10-09T13:38:01.611400+00:00", "headline": "Boston job losses concentrate in tech and consulting, not broadly.", "headline_summary": "Boston Metropolitan Division payrolls fell 1.2% in August \u2014 the steepest of any Massachusetts metro \u2014 as professional and technical services contracted 5.8% statewide, even as labor force participation held at 65.3%.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Boston Metro Division job change", "value": "-1.2%", "context": "Steepest decline among 7 MA metro divisions, August 2026"}, {"label": "MA unemployment rate", "value": "4.3%", "context": "vs 4.1% national rate, August 2026"}, {"label": "Boston wage growth", "value": "2.3%", "context": "vs 3.1% national pace, 12 months to June 2026"}, {"label": "Labor force participation (MA)", "value": "65.3%", "context": "vs 61.8% national rate, holding flat since spring"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Boston's job losses are concentrated, not economy-wide.", "body": "The Boston Metropolitan Division's 1.2% August decline outpaced every other Massachusetts metro area, driven largely by professional, scientific, and technical services \u2014 down 5.8% statewide. Healthcare, education, and construction continued adding jobs over the same period, indicating a bifurcated rather than broad-based slowdown."}, {"headline": "Participation holding steady despite payroll contraction is the real story.", "body": "Massachusetts labor force participation stayed at 65.3%, well above the 61.8% national rate, even as the state shed 7,100 jobs in August alone. Workers appear to be staying in the market rather than exiting, which may limit how much further unemployment can rise even if payroll softness persists."}, {"headline": "Wage growth in Boston is trailing the nation for the first time in years.", "body": "Boston-area wages and salaries rose 2.3% over the year through June, below the 3.1% national pace and a reversal of the region's historical wage premium. Combined with 3.4% national inflation, this points to eroding local purchasing power even where employment is stable."}, {"headline": "Healthcare's WARN notices complicate the sector's growth narrative.", "body": "A single Worcester-area healthcare layoff (Community Healthlink, 639 jobs) was the largest Massachusetts WARN filing this year, even as healthcare remains a statewide job-growth leader. The juxtaposition suggests growth in some healthcare subsectors is coexisting with contraction in others \u2014 a distinction worth tracking rather than treating healthcare as uniformly expansionary."}], "local_conditions": "Boston metro payrolls contracted 1.2% in August, the steepest decline among all seven Massachusetts metropolitan divisions, as professional, scientific, and technical services \u2014 the sector that anchors the region's tech, consulting, and research economy \u2014 continued a 5.8% statewide annual decline. Massachusetts unemployment held at 4.3%, still above the 4.1% national rate, while labor force participation stayed flat at 65.3%, suggesting workers are not leaving the market even as job counts shrink, a pattern consistent with a slowdown concentrated in specific sectors rather than a broad-based downturn.", "implications": "Divergence between stable participation and falling payrolls points to a labor market absorbing sector-specific contraction \u2014 concentrated in professional/technical services and the Boston Metropolitan Division specifically \u2014 without yet triggering the participation withdrawal that would signal a deeper downturn. For commerce leaders assessing the climate for local expansion, healthcare and construction remain the metro's structural growth engines, while trade, information, financial activities, and leisure/hospitality collectively lost roughly 17,000 positions statewide this year. Current conditions suggest monitoring whether professional/technical services stabilizes before reading the broader Boston economy as either cooling or merely rotating.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected data release", "body": "September metro-level employment figures for Boston-Cambridge-Newton publish October 16 via the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. This will confirm whether August's 1.2% Boston Metropolitan Division decline was a one-month dip or the start of a trend."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Professional, scientific, and technical services \u2014 central to Boston's economic identity \u2014 has contracted 5.8% statewide this year. Continued weakness here would signal a structural competitiveness question for the metro's innovation economy, not simply a cyclical hiring pause."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Net international migration to Boston metro has fallen roughly 50%, a structural headwind to labor force growth independent of current hiring conditions. Combined with an aging workforce, this raises longer-term questions about labor supply available to support any rebound in business activity."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "National wage growth has slipped to 3.0% \u2014 its lowest since May 2021 \u2014 while inflation runs at 3.4%, and Boston's 2.3% regional wage pace already trails the nation. Widening wage-inflation gaps locally would weigh further on consumer purchasing power across the metro's retail and service sectors."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31611.0, "metro_p50": 36311.0, "metro_p75": 39343.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33325.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31257.0, "metro_p50": 35936.2, "metro_p75": 37960.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31200.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35109.75, "metro_p50": 41111.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 54600.0, "metro_p50": 72800.0, "metro_p75": 82785.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33930.0, "metro_p50": 36489.0, "metro_p75": 41853.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 34344.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 39520.0, "metro_p50": 47840.0, "metro_p75": 50525.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40560.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 62717.75, "metro_p50": 82666.0, "metro_p75": 91212.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 71404.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 36920.0, "metro_p50": 43680.0, "metro_p75": 46800.0, "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": 36078.0, "metro_p50": 42716.0, "metro_p75": 46800.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33198.0, "metro_p50": 37440.0, "metro_p75": 40768.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33756.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 39779.25, "metro_p50": 44720.0, "metro_p75": 46800.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41106.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 39520.0, "metro_p50": 50014.0, "metro_p75": 56160.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 43680.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 67753.0, "metro_p50": 80509.0, "metro_p75": 87500.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 70720.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 95503.0, "metro_p50": 115609.6, "metro_p75": 127400.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 102581.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 120561.0, "metro_p50": 156473.0, "metro_p75": 173046.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 153652.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 99469.0, "metro_p50": 143927.0, "metro_p75": 159248.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 139500.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 63222.75, "metro_p50": 78475.8, "metro_p75": 87036.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72182.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 78057.0, "metro_p50": 100598.0, "metro_p75": 108659.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 94782.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 61710.0, "metro_p50": 77285.6, "metro_p75": 85000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 50732.0, "metro_p50": 68561.2, "metro_p75": 80000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 62354.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 70000.0, "metro_p50": 93181.0, "metro_p75": 125041.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 85216.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 44720.0, "metro_p50": 64616.0, "metro_p75": 72997.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 56731.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 67500.0, "metro_p50": 95087.6, "metro_p75": 115775.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 92749.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 57231.25, "metro_p50": 108597.2, "metro_p75": 113717.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 84300.0, "metro_p50": 102636.0, "metro_p75": 115090.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 98279.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 83200.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 115585.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 43617.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 49299.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 132947.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 104358.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 91425.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 69367.5, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 40560.0, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 72660.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}], "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": "October 2026", "files": {"html": "boston-cambridge-quincy-ma-nh-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "pdf": "boston-cambridge-quincy-ma-nh-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf", "sources_html": "boston-cambridge-quincy-ma-nh-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-10-09T13:48:48.529452+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/boston-cambridge-quincy-ma-nh-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/boston-cambridge-quincy-ma-nh-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf"}