QUICK SUMMARY
Boston's labor force shrank between October 2024 and January 2025, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.2%. Job postings in healthcare industries increased by over 15% during the same period, while postings for computer occupations hit a 10-year low in December 2023.
Boston's labor force shrank between October 2024 and January 2025, leading to an uptick in the unemployment rate to 4.2%. Job postings in the healthcare industries, particularly Hospitals and Ambulatory Health Care Services, rose over 15% in January compared to October. The Spring 2025 report revealed that job postings for computer occupations reached a 10-year low in December 2023 but have seen a slight rebound since. While this indicates a possible slowdown in programming and software development demand, the share of jobs requiring no bachelor's degree has increased since 2015. Total employment in these occupations has declined slightly over the past three years, highlighting concerns about the job market's trajectory. As generative AI develops rapidly, the demand for basic digital skills in non-technical jobs is also on the rise. Local officials and industry experts will need to monitor these trends closely to address potential workforce gaps. The evolving job landscape in Boston reflects broader shifts in technology and education.