08/17/2023
CT Dept. of Labor: State Employers Add 2,900 Jobs; Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.6%
(Wethersfield, CT) – Today, Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo released the July labor situation report showing a drop in the state’s unemployment rate to 3.6%, the lowest since September 2019. Connecticut employers added 2,900 jobs last month; additionally, June jobs numbers were revised up by 2,100 to a 2,500 decline. To date, Connecticut has added 19,100 jobs in 2023.
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “Just over halfway through 2023, economic indicators remain positive with a low unemployment rate, overall yearly job growth, and a continued low unemployment weekly filing rate. Employers have about 90,000 jobs available in the state—it’s a good economic climate for job seekers with employers hiring for a wide variety of jobs and skill levels. Connecticut’s labor force participation rate remains above national levels, however, the number of available workers is a concern for recruiters trying to fill jobs.”
CTDOL Office of Research Director Patrick Flaherty said, “Job growth trends are important signals of industry sector health. In Connecticut, seven sectors are now at or above pre-pandemic job levels. While the Health Care sector remains below pre-pandemic job levels due to nursing homes, the entire sector is back in job creation mode, a good sign for the economy. On the other hand, virtual meeting technology has driven what may be a permanent shift away from corporate travel, a change impacting the Accommodations and Food Services sector.”
TOPLINE POINTS FROM THE REPORT:
- Total jobs are 98.2% recovered from the pandemic shutdown with the private sector just 100 jobs shy of full recovery at 99.9% recovered.
- Industry sectors with largest job gains: Health Care & Social Assistance, up 2,200 jobs; Construction, up 1,400 jobs; and Private Education, up 800 jobs.
- Industry sectors with losses: Administrative & Support Services lost 1,600 jobs, Manufacturing lost 700 jobs, and State Government lost 200 jobs.
VIDEO: Director Flaherty comments on the July 2023 report:
- #DOLDaily: Major takeaways from the July report
- #DOLDaily: Breaking down the Labor Report by Industry
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For Immediate Release: August 17, 2023
Media Contact:
CTDOL Communications Unit
200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
Email: CTDOL.Communications@ct.gov | https://www.ct.gov/dol