Maryland Unemployment Rate Lowest in Decade
State Adds 3,100 Jobs in January
BALTIMORE (March 11, 2019) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released state jobs and unemployment data. According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland added 3,100 jobs in January. Maryland’s unemployment rate is now 3.7%, the lowest it has been since April 2008, and below the current U.S. unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points.
Further, December’s preliminary estimate and 2018 jobs data have been benchmarked, changing the November to December over-the-month jobs gain from 4,900 jobs to 5,600 jobs.
Compared with this time last year, Maryland jobs are up by 23,500, for an over-the-year increase of 0.9 percent. Private sector jobs have also grown, with 22,600 jobs added over the year, an increase of 1.0%.
“Maryland’s low unemployment presents unique challenges for employers looking to fill their talent pipelines; DLLR’s innovative workforce programs can help,” said Acting Labor Secretary James E. Rzepkowski. “Working with industry and business partners, we’re addressing employee skill gaps through workforce development programs that help workers overcome barriers to employment, learn new skills, and obtain important credentials, ensuring Maryland’s businesses have the talent they need to compete and grow.”
Education and Health Services experienced the highest growth last month, with 3,100 jobs across the Educational Services (1,700 jobs) and Health Care and Social Assistance (1,400 jobs) subsectors. The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector grew by 2,000 jobs in Retail Trade (1,300 jobs) and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (1,300 jobs), offset by a decline of 600 jobs in the Wholesale Trade subsector. Information, Leisure and Hospitality, Financial Activities, and Other Services also increased last month, adding a total of 1,100 jobs.
Three sectors experienced decline in January. Mining, Logging, and Construction decreased by 600 jobs, all within the Construction subsector. Professional and Business Services decreased by 600 jobs, while Manufacturing decreased by 100 jobs.
About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.
Note: Data is spidered in on the DLLR website directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) using Datazoa and a slight lag may exist as the database is refreshed.
For immediate access to this month's jobs data please go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website.
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