Massachusetts, October 16, 2025
News Summary
Massachusetts is grappling with a challenging job market as the unemployment rate rises to 4.5%. Layoffs across higher education and biotech sectors are intensifying economic pressure. Employers are hesitant to hire amid ongoing inflation and budget constraints, leading to a notable increase in WARN notices signaling mass layoffs. Job seekers express frustration over inactive listings and ghost jobs, while regions like Fall River and New Bedford encounter elevated unemployment. Despite these challenges, sectors such as education and health services show potential for future job growth.
Boston — Massachusetts is facing one of the most challenging job markets in years as unemployment rises, layoffs spread across multiple sectors and employers pull back on hiring amid economic uncertainty. Massachusetts’ unemployment rate increased from about 4% in August 2024 to 4.5% in August 2025. The state has seen widespread cuts in higher education and the biotech sector, and there have been 79 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN) notices filed in the state this year, indicating mass layoffs or closures.
Top developments
Recent actions by major employers have added to the pressure on local workers. Berklee College of Music laid off 3% of its workforce in early October. Suffolk University cut 35 staff members in June due to budgetary issues related to enrollment shifts. Boston University announced a reduction of about 120 positions in July as part of a 5% budget reduction plan.
The biotech and life sciences industries, long a source of growth for Massachusetts, are also under strain. Revvity Inc. is preparing to cut over 100 jobs as it consolidates its operations to Hopkinton. Takeda Pharmaceuticals plans to lay off 137 employees next year. The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation reported that life sciences job growth flattened in 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges in the job market.
Labor market indicators and hiring trends
Employers are becoming more cautious: the job opening rate in Massachusetts is declining as companies reconsider budgets and delay or reduce new hires. Economic uncertainty, sustained inflation and high housing costs in the Boston area are limiting the ability of job seekers to accept lower-paying roles. Companies are also adopting automation, artificial intelligence and offshore contracting as ways to reduce the need for new full-time hires.
Job seekers report growing frustration with hiring practices. A substantial share of job listings appear to be inactive or not intended to be filled, with a 2024 analysis identifying that a significant percentage of job postings (18%-22%) were identified as ghost jobs in a 2024 analysis. Candidates are increasingly using AI tools to tailor applications and resumes to match AI-driven applicant tracking systems, while employers are more likely to prioritize candidates with higher skill levels.
Sector and regional impacts
Layoffs have touched multiple sectors beyond higher education and biotech. Funding shifts, increased tariffs and cuts in federal research funding have added pressure to research-driven employers and to sectors such as offshore wind, where uncertainty has affected hiring plans. At the same time, demand has risen for skilled tradespeople even as interest in some tech fields shifts due to AI developments.
Regional disparities within the state are becoming clearer. Both Fall River and New Bedford reported higher unemployment rates compared to last year. Southeastern Massachusetts communities are experiencing comparatively fewer job openings and higher local unemployment, compounding economic strain in those areas.
How job seekers are coping
Many job seekers are facing long, opaque recruitment processes, including multiple interview rounds that often end without follow-up. Older and experienced professionals report heightened anxiety and difficulty finding new employment. One mentioned example of individual hardship in the market is that Kim Chrystie, a 54-year-old marketing executive, has been looking for work for over a year after being laid off and has witnessed rising financial strain.
Because many companies conduct unposted or “stealth” hiring, job seekers are encouraged to leverage personal networks when possible. Remote-work expectations are also shifting, with more employers specifying in-office days even as some roles retain flexibility.
Outlook and where hiring may occur
Despite the difficulties, some areas may still show resilience. Education, health services and government employment are identified as sectors that could see job growth even as other sectors slow. Employers, however, are tightening requirements and seeking higher-skilled candidates for a shrinking number of open roles.
What to watch next
- Unemployment trends and monthly labor reports for changes to the 4.5% figure.
- Corporate WARN filings and institutional budget updates that could signal further layoffs.
- Shifts in federal research funding, tariffs and renewable energy project support that affect hiring in life sciences and energy sectors.
- Local job opening rates and the prevalence of ghost postings, which influence job seeker strategy.
FAQ
What is the current unemployment rate in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts’ unemployment rate increased from about 4% in August 2024 to 4.5% in August 2025.
How many WARN notices have been filed in the state this year?
There have been 79 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN) notices filed in the state this year, indicating mass layoffs or closures.
Which higher education institutions announced layoffs?
Berklee College of Music laid off 3% of its workforce in early October.
Suffolk University cut 35 staff members in June due to budgetary issues related to enrollment shifts.
Boston University announced a reduction of about 120 positions in July as part of a 5% budget reduction plan.
What layoffs are happening in the biotech and life sciences sectors?
Revvity Inc. is preparing to cut over 100 jobs as it consolidates its operations to Hopkinton.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals plans to lay off 137 employees next year.
The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation reported that life sciences job growth flattened in 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges in the job market.
How common are ghost job postings?
A significant percentage of job postings (18%-22%) were identified as ghost jobs in a 2024 analysis.
Are some Massachusetts communities more affected than others?
Both Fall River and New Bedford reported higher unemployment rates compared to last year.
Are there personal accounts illustrating the job market impact?
Kim Chrystie, a 54-year-old marketing executive, has been looking for work for over a year after being laid off and has witnessed rising financial strain.
Quick reference table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (Aug 2025) | Massachusetts’ unemployment rate increased from about 4% in August 2024 to 4.5% in August 2025. |
| WARN notices filed | There have been 79 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN) notices filed in the state this year, indicating mass layoffs or closures. |
| Berklee College of Music | Berklee College of Music laid off 3% of its workforce in early October. |
| Suffolk University | Suffolk University cut 35 staff members in June due to budgetary issues related to enrollment shifts. |
| Boston University | Boston University announced a reduction of about 120 positions in July as part of a 5% budget reduction plan. |
| Revvity Inc. | Revvity Inc. is preparing to cut over 100 jobs as it consolidates its operations to Hopkinton. |
| Takeda Pharmaceuticals | Takeda Pharmaceuticals plans to lay off 137 employees next year. |
| Ghost job postings | A significant percentage of job postings (18%-22%) were identified as ghost jobs in a 2024 analysis. |
| Life sciences trend | The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation reported that life sciences job growth flattened in 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges in the job market. |
| Hardest-hit communities | Both Fall River and New Bedford reported higher unemployment rates compared to last year. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Boston Public Market Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Harvest Party
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Revvity Inc. to Cut Over 100 Jobs in Massachusetts
UMass Boston Receives $3.8 Million Grant for Quantum Technologies
Rhode Island Faces Economic Challenges According to Reports
Revvity to Close Boston Facility, Leading to 76 Layoffs
Boston City Council Calls for Urgent Hiring Reforms
Massachusetts Passes Landmark Pay Transparency Act
Additional Resources
- MassLive: Job Market Dynamics in Massachusetts
- Wikipedia: Job Market
- WWLP: Massachusetts Labor Market Update
- Google Search: Massachusetts Job Market 2025
- Reuters: US Job Openings Report
- Google Scholar: Massachusetts Unemployment Rate
- Boston Globe: Tough Job Market in Massachusetts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Job Growth
- BioSpace: Life Sciences Job Trends
- Google News: Massachusetts Employment Trends
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
