(Wethersfield, CT) – Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo today released labor market data showing continued positive trends for the state. Connecticut employers added an estimated 2,900 jobs in August and July jobs numbers were revised up from 5,600 to 8,700. Following national trends, workforce participation increased with 5,700 people entering the Connecticut job market in August. As new workers enter the market, they move from the ‘not in workforce’ survey category to the ‘unemployed’ survey category. That shift resulted in an August unemployment rate increase for both the U.S. and for Connecticut. The state’s unemployment rate is now 4.1%.
CTDOL Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “Connecticut employers get some good news in this report with data showing that 5,700 people entered the job market last month. The unemployment rate increase is directly related to that expansion of the workforce—people who previously weren’t looking for jobs are now back in the labor market—many of them may already be employed. August was another strong and steady month for Connecticut with continued job growth and an expanding pool of workers.”
Labor force data is collected in two surveys, a payroll survey and a household survey that puts respondents in major categories such as ‘not in labor force’ and ‘in labor force’. Since December, the state’s labor force has increased by 51,900 people. This indicates that workers who were not looking for jobs last year are now re-entering the workforce. They are initially counted as unemployed before they are hired and then counted as employed. Connecticut currently has approximately 19,000 weekly unemployment filers.
CTDOL Director of Research Patrick Flaherty said, “There are many reasons why a person may leave the workforce—retirement; family or childcare problems; or even being discouraged by the market itself and the jobs that are out there. Leaving the workforce indicates they are no longer looking for a job—they aren’t unemployed, they are not in the workforce at all. In Connecticut, the data shows that in 2022, these workers are coming back into the labor force. With approximately 100,000 jobs available in Connecticut, expanding the pool of workers is a good sign for the economy and businesses that are trying to hire.”
Data and major takeaways from The Report:
- Connecticut’s labor force participation remains higher than the national average at 64.5%. The national average is 62.1%. (July 2022 data, latest available.)
- Nearly 52,000 people have joined the workforce since December 2021, important news for businesses seeking employees.
- Total private sector employment is 91.2% recovered from the pandemic. Overall employment is 87.9% recovered.
- Major gains in August include Professional and Business Services—up 1,600; Education and Health Services—up 1,000; and Manufacturing—up 900.
- Construction and education sectors are above pre-pandemic levels.
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Director Flaherty comments on the August report:
- #DOLDaily August 2022 Labor Report Major Takeaways
- #DOLDaily August 2022 Labor Report: Understanding the Unemployment Rate
- #DOLDaily August 2022 Labor Report: Why Trends Matter
CTDOL reminds residents that job search, resume, and training assistance is available free of charge at the state’s American Job Centers and urges job seekers, employers, and recruiters to register with CTHires, the state’s job bank.
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