(Wethersfield) – Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo today released the August jobs report estimating that Connecticut employers added 900 jobs last month. The private sector hit a new high at 1,484,000 payroll jobs; total jobs remain slightly below their 2008 high. July numbers were revised to 800 jobs gained from the previously estimated 700 jobs gain. While the national unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.3%, Connecticut’s unemployment rate remains low and unchanged at 3.8%.
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “Despite volatility in the national numbers, Connecticut’s economic indicators remain steady. CTDOL is closely monitoring labor force data after August posted a 4,100 decline, the third consecutive monthly decline. Labor force data fluctuations aren’t unusual; however, CTDOL is aware of increased federal immigration activity that may also impact work-authorized immigrants. About 20% of Connecticut payroll jobs are filled by workers born outside of the U.S. and Puerto Rico.”
CTDOL Director of Research Patrick Flaherty said, “Connecticut continues to see stable, sustainable growth. Private sector payrolls hit new highs last month and total jobs—public and private sector—are only off their 2008 all-time high by about 700 payroll jobs. The gig economy has added jobs since then; there are more people working in Connecticut today than in 2008.”
TOPLINE POINTS FROM THE REPORT; FULL REPORT AT CT.GOV/DOL
- Private sector payrolls are at 1,484,00, a new high in Connecticut.
- Employers have about 80,000 jobs available.
- The state’s labor force declined by 3,700 in June; 2,500 in July; and 4,100 in August.
- The Labor Force Participation Rate is down slightly to 64.6%. The national rate is 62.3%.
- Federal government jobs were down 100 in August.
- Connecticut has about 34,000 unemployment claim filers; this represents average pre-pandemic volume.
#DOLDaily video with CTDOL Director of Research Patrick Flaherty:
#DOL Daily: Major Takeaways from August report
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For Immediate Release: September 18, 2025