The Worcester metropolitan area was one of seven state labor markets in which unemployment rates increased in May, according to the state Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The Worcester area unemployment rate finished the month at 9.8 percent, up from 9.6 percent the prior month.
Eleven of the state’s labor markets, including Framingham, saw unemployment rates decrease. Framingham’s went from 7.2 percent in April to 7 percent in May.
The Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner area’s rate inched up from 11.7 percent to 11.8 percent while Athol’s increased from 11.7 percent to 12 percent.
Unemployment rates were unchanged in three of the state’s labor markets.
Statewide, the unemployment rate hit 9.2 percent in May, unchanged from the previous month.
