04/15/2021
CT Dept. Of Labor: Unemployment Rate Drops To 8.3%, 5,400 Payroll Jobs Added
(Wethersfield, CT) – Today, Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Kurt Westby released March 2021 unemployment data showing that Connecticut’s unemployment rate dropped to 8.3% from 8.5% in February. The economy added 5,400 jobs in the private and government sectors.
Commissioner Westby said, “Connecticut’s economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re adding payroll jobs, the weekly unemployment filing numbers are down, and the unemployment rate is down—all positive signs. We have a long road ahead of us, but the vaccine is bringing back opportunities for the workforce, recreation, and retail—which has gained back nearly 84% of the jobs it lost during the pandemic. Things are going in the right direction.”
CTDOL Acting Director of Research Patrick Flaherty said, “This is the third month we’ve seen job growth; employers are actively hiring and bringing back their workforces. Another positive sign: with schools reopening, the Education and Health Services industry supersector reversed course into job growth after months of decline. These data points highlight the underlying strength and resilience of the economy.”
Topline from the March jobs report:
- Seven of ten industry supersectors showed growth including Education and Health Services, Hospitality, and Manufacturing.
- Three supersectors declined.
- Retail has gained nearly 84% of jobs lost during the pandemic.
- Overall, Connecticut has recovered 176,400 jobs of the 292,400 lost during the pandemic.
CTDOL Economist Patrick Flaherty remarks on the report:
#DOLDaily March 2021 Labor Report Major Takeaway
#DOLDaily Post-Pandemic Labor Market Changes
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Media Contact:
CTDOL Communications Unit
200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
Email: CTDOL.SocialMedia@ct.gov | http://www.ct.gov/dol