Rhode Island employers shed an estimated 1,600 jobs in September even as the state's unemployment rate fell to 3.6%, according to the Department of Labor and Training's latest monthly report.
The Oct. 15 release put nonfarm payrolls at 513,100, down from a revised 514,700 in August. The state had 700 fewer jobs than in September 2025.
Educational services lost 1,200 jobs, which the department attributed to September hiring falling short of expectations. Administrative and waste services lost 600, and finance and insurance lost 500. Construction and arts, entertainment and recreation each added 500.
The unemployment rate measures residents rather than jobs located at Rhode Island businesses. It fell one-tenth of a percentage point from August and was seven-tenths lower than a year earlier.
The state estimated that 556,300 residents were working, up 500 over the month but down 11,000 over the year. Labor-force participation fell to 62%, compared with 63.9% in September 2025. The labor force totaled 577,000, down 200 from August and 15,800 from a year earlier. The number of unemployed residents fell 600 over the month to 20,800, and was down 4,700 from a year earlier.
The August payroll estimate was revised downward by 400 jobs. The state plans to release October figures Nov. 19.