R.I. unemployment rate holds steady as jobs reach post-pandemic peak

Rhode Island’s unemployment rate held steady in February as total jobs ticked up, according to a report published Thursday by Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

The 1,900 jobs added in February pushes the state’s government and private-sector jobs over 500,000, the highest level since March 2020. The state has now recovered 94.2% of the 102,000 jobs lost during the pandemic, the report stated.

The monthly, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.1% remains unchanged from the month prior, and 0.5-percentage points below the federal unemployment rate of 3.6%. Also unchanged month-over-month is the 548,000 employed state residents, though it was down 2,700 compared with a year ago. The number of unemployed residents fell by 300 from January to 17,300, a 1,110- decline year -over-year. 

New unemployment insurance claims averaged 1,053 in February, down from 1,974 in January. Claims rose by 68 per week, on average, compared with February 2022.

The government sector saw the biggest monthly job gains, adding 800 jobs from January, while accommodation and food services added 500 jobs. The 400 construction jobs added brought the industry to peak employment of 23,500 jobs. 

Health care and social assistance reported a 300 job loss, month over month, reflecting declines in outpatient care service jobs.