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Department of Labor Releases April Unemployment Report

BALTIMORE (May 18, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released state jobs and unemployment data. Total jobs decreased by 4,300 in April, however total and private employments are up over-the-year at 9,200 and 12,500 jobs, respectively. Further, March’s preliminary jobs estimate as reported by BLS was revised upward by 500 jobs, to a gain of 3,700 jobs. Maryland’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent.

“The Department of Labor is committed to helping every Marylander find a job, or grow in their present job,” said Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “That is why we provide free jobseeker services through our American Job Centers, and employer services through innovative programs like registered apprenticeship and EARN Maryland.”

Last month, 1,000 jobs were gained in the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Sector: 1,000 jobs in the Retail Trade subsector, and 800 jobs in the Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities sector. Other Services increased by 900 jobs, while the Information sector increased by 300 jobs.

Sectors experiencing decline include Manufacturing; Education and Health Services; Financial Activities; Professional and Business Services; Mining, Logging and Construction; and Leisure and Hospitality. Of these, Manufacturing experienced the largest decline of 1,000 jobs, all within the Non-Durable Goods subsector (1,100 jobs). There was a gain of 100 jobs in the Durable Goods subsector.

Unemployment insurance claims remain low, while the total number of Maryland employers paying into the employee tax system continues to increase. Between September 2017 and today, Maryland has added 3,298 new employers. As of the end of last month, there were more than 148,000 UI-liable employers in the state.

“There are almost 105,000 jobs listed on the Maryland Workforce Exchange,” said Secretary Schulz. “We’re ready and able to introduce any Marylander to their next position. If you’re already working and need training or education to grow, we can do that, too.”

Learn more about the Department of Labor’s jobseeker and employer services.

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.

Employment Situation

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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