October 2024 | Released November 19, 2024

Download the full PDF for Rhode Island

Download the summary PDF for Rhode Island

United States Employment Snapshot

• In October, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 8, rose in 22, and remained unchanged in 21.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in District of Columbia and Nevada, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in October.

• In October, payroll jobs rose in 21 states and fell in 30. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Idaho. The largest payroll job percent decline was 1 percent in Washington.

Rhode Island Employment Snapshot

• In October, Rhode Island added 400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.6 percent. In the prior month, Rhode Island added 3,400 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Rhode Island added 9,000 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 1.2 percentage points from 3.4 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 12,000 in October, or 0 percent. Rhode Island ranks 13th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In October, Rhode Island’s private sector added 900 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 7,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Rhode Island added 2,700 net private payroll jobs.

• In October, employment in Rhode Island fell by 802, and over the past 12 months it rose by 6,762.

• Rhode Island’s labor force participation rate fell to 65 percent in October from 65.1 percent and is tied for 17th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 1.3 percentage points.

---

Rhode Island Payroll Employment

• Rhode Island added 400 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during October. In the prior month, Rhode Island added 3,400 jobs. Rhode Island nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 12,000 in October, or 0 percent. Rhode Island ranks 13th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Rhode Island added 900 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during October. In the prior month, Rhode Island added 2,700 jobs. Rhode Island private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs fell by 28,000 jobs in October, or 0 percent. Rhode Island is tied for 12th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during October were Leisure and Hospitality (1,200) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (200).

• The poorest performing sectors during the month were Education and Health Services (-300) and Government (-500).

• The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (4,700) and Professional and Business Services (2,400).

• The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Other Services (-400) and Leisure and Hospitality (-1,600).

Rhode Island Labor Force

The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.

• The labor force participation rate in Rhode Island fell to 65 percent in October from 65.1 percent in the prior month.

• Rhode Island is tied for 17th in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Rhode Island was 65.2 percent occurring in August 2024, and the 10-year low was 61 percent in April 2020.

• The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6 percent in October.