Counties with the most job openings per unemployed person in New England
Key facts
- #1 Suffolk County, MA: 25 per 100
- #2 Middlesex County, MA: 11 per 100
- #3 Hillsborough County, NH: 10 per 100
- 12 counties ranked in New England
- Data as of November 2026
For comparison: 7 per 100 across all ranked counties.
- 1Suffolk County MA25 per 100
- 2Middlesex County MA11 per 100
- 3Hillsborough County NH10 per 100
- 4Cumberland County ME6 per 100
- 5Berkshire County MA5 per 100
- 6Norfolk County MA3 per 100
- 7Rockingham County NH3 per 100
- 8Providence County RI2 per 100
- 9Essex County MA2 per 100
- 10Worcester County MA2 per 100
What stands out
- The lead is wide: Suffolk County (25 per 100) is well clear of Worcester County at #10 (2 per 100).
- Rockingham County reaches #7 on a sample of 132 openings, a smaller market than most of the top ten, so its rank can move more from month to month.
- Suffolk County is the largest market in the top ten, with 4,895 openings behind its figure.
- Counties with fewer than 100 openings are not ranked, and small differences between neighbouring ranks are not meaningful.
Why this ranking matters
What it shows
Counties differ in how many professional openings there are for each person looking for work. The ratio is one way to compare how much hiring is happening in a place against how many people need it.
How to use it
Use it to compare places, not to count your own odds. Our openings cover professional roles on the career sites we track, and the unemployed include people in every kind of work.
The top 25
- 1
Suffolk County MA
25 per 100
- Professional openings
- 4,895
- People unemployed
- 19,765
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2%
Based on 4,895 openings.
- 2
Middlesex County MA
11 per 100
- Professional openings
- 3,848
- People unemployed
- 35,823
- Unemployment rate
- 3.8%
Based on 3,848 openings.
- 3
Hillsborough County NH
10 per 100
- Professional openings
- 526
- People unemployed
- 5,177
- Unemployment rate
- 2.2%
Based on 526 openings.
- 4
Cumberland County ME
6 per 100
- Professional openings
- 273
- People unemployed
- 4,730
- Unemployment rate
- 2.7%
Based on 273 openings.
- 5
Berkshire County MA
5 per 100
- Professional openings
- 135
- People unemployed
- 2,515
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%
Based on 135 openings.
- 6
Norfolk County MA
3 per 100
- Professional openings
- 534
- People unemployed
- 16,075
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%
Based on 534 openings.
- 7
Rockingham County NH
3 per 100
- Professional openings
- 132
- People unemployed
- 4,003
- Unemployment rate
- 2.1%
Based on 132 openings.
- 8
Providence County RI
2 per 100
- Professional openings
- 263
- People unemployed
- 11,512
- Unemployment rate
- 3.3%
Based on 263 openings.
- 9
Essex County MA
2 per 100
- Professional openings
- 433
- People unemployed
- 19,120
- Unemployment rate
- 4.3%
Based on 433 openings.
- 10
Worcester County MA
2 per 100
- Professional openings
- 437
- People unemployed
- 19,590
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2%
Based on 437 openings.
- 11
Hampden County MA
1 per 100
- Professional openings
- 163
- People unemployed
- 11,873
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%
Based on 163 openings.
- 12
Bristol County MA
1 per 100
- Professional openings
- 124
- People unemployed
- 14,135
- Unemployment rate
- 4.5%
Based on 124 openings.
Full ranking
All 12 counties that qualified, with the figure each is ranked on.
| Rank | County | Score | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suffolk County MA | 25 per 100 | 4,895 |
| 2 | Middlesex County MA | 11 per 100 | 3,848 |
| 3 | Hillsborough County NH | 10 per 100 | 526 |
| 4 | Cumberland County ME | 6 per 100 | 273 |
| 5 | Berkshire County MA | 5 per 100 | 135 |
| 6 | Norfolk County MA | 3 per 100 | 534 |
| 7 | Rockingham County NH | 3 per 100 | 132 |
| 8 | Providence County RI | 2 per 100 | 263 |
| 9 | Essex County MA | 2 per 100 | 433 |
| 10 | Worcester County MA | 2 per 100 | 437 |
| 11 | Hampden County MA | 1 per 100 | 163 |
| 12 | Bristol County MA | 1 per 100 | 124 |
How this ranking works
A county's score is the number of open professional roles in our data, per 100 people unemployed there (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted). Roles are placed in the county of the city their posting names; remote and statewide roles are left out.
Our job data covers professional roles on the career sites of employers we track, and the unemployed include people in every kind of work, so the figure compares places with one another; it is not a count of the jobs an unemployed person could take. Only counties with at least 100 openings and 500 unemployed people are ranked.
Sample bar: counties with fewer than 100 openings are not ranked.
Sources: NextChapter job data: open professional roles by county; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (not seasonally adjusted). Data as of November 2026.
Our job data covers professional roles on the career sites of employers we track, so figures describe that market, not every job. Spot an error? Tell us.
Questions
- Which county ranks first: counties with the most job openings per unemployed person in new england?
- Suffolk County has the most professional job openings per unemployed person in New England: 25 per 100 unemployed people, against 7 per 100 across all ranked counties.
- How many counties are ranked?
- 12 counties have at least 100 openings, so the list has 12 entries.
- How is the ranking calculated?
- A county's score is the number of open professional roles in our data, per 100 people unemployed there (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted). Roles are placed in the county of the city their posting names; remote and statewide roles are left out. Our job data covers professional roles on the career sites of employers we track, and the unemployed include people in every kind of work, so the figure compares places with one another; it is not a count of the jobs an unemployed person could take. Only counties with at least 100 openings and 500 unemployed people are ranked.
- How often is it updated?
- Every month. This is the November 2026 edition. Older editions stay on this site at their own dated addresses.
More rankings
- Colleges with the highest earnings 10 years after enrolling in New England
- Best college towns for junior jobs in New England
- Cities with the most jobs that need no experience in New England
- Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in New England
- Cities with the most hybrid jobs in New England
- Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in New England
- Counties with the most job openings per unemployed person
- All rankings
Cite this ranking
NextChapter, “Counties with the most job openings per unemployed person in New England,” November 2026 edition. https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/counties-with-the-most-openings-per-unemployed-person-in-new-england
Link to it: <a href="https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/counties-with-the-most-openings-per-unemployed-person-in-new-england">Counties with the most job openings per unemployed person in New England (NextChapter, November 2026)</a>
Download the data: CSV · JSON. Free to use with a link back.
The job market, once a week
One email every Tuesday with the week's most useful read on the job market and the search, plus occasional news from NextChapter. No account needed. Unsubscribe any time.
Applying and hearing nothing back?
Find out where you stand: your odds, the jobs that fit you and a plan for the week ahead. Free. No résumé needed.
Already a member? Log in
Run a workforce board, job center or economic development office, or hire in the places and industries on this list?
Leave your work email. We'll send how organizations use NextChapter to reach job seekers.