(Wethersfield, CT) – Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo today released the December Labor Situation report showing that Connecticut’s unemployment rate rose 0.2% to 4.2%. After gaining 2,100 jobs in November, payroll jobs declined by an estimated 500 in December.
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “There was considerable volatility in 2025 with national issues playing a role in dampening Connecticut’s job growth. Over the past year, Connecticut’s workforce declined; that makes it harder for employers to hire and it reduces retail and services spending. Employers have around 70,000 open jobs in the state; CTDOL encourages job seekers to contact their local American Job Center for job search assistance.”
The state has 1,935,700 people in the labor force. Over the past six months, Connecticut’s labor force dropped by 20,000 workers. Average weekly earnings were up 3.0% over the year, essentially offsetting inflation.
CTDOL Director of Research Patrick Flaherty said, “Connecticut’s economy has shown resilience through some ups and downs this year. As we’ve said in the past, the state’s economy will follow national trends, so we remain watchful of inflation, the impact of tariffs, and overall hiring. Looking ahead to 2026, we expect a modest growth year in Connecticut—as long as the U.S. economy avoids an economic downturn.”
Topline Information from the Report:
- Job growth over the year—December 2024 to December 2025—has been volatile. Connecticut added jobs in six of 12 months; however, state employers lost 2,200 jobs overall for the year.
- Top gainers in 2025: Healthcare and Social Assistance, Professional and Scientific Services, and Local Government.
- Retail Trade, Accommodation & Food Services, and Private Education lost the most jobs in 2025.
- Connecticut’s labor force participation rate was unchanged at 64.0% compared to the national rate of 62.4%
Continued unemployment claims are around 35,000, slightly higher than last year at this time when they were around 32,000.
#DOLDaily video with CTDOL Director of Research Patrick Flaherty:
#DOLDaily: Major Takeaways from the December Report.
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has not yet scheduled further Labor Situation releases. They will be posted to their list of release dates.
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For Immediate Release: January 26, 2026