Maryland Gains 14,200 Jobs in August
August posts the second-highest job gains in seven years
BALTIMORE (Sep. 15, 2017) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released state jobs and unemployment data. According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland added 14,200 jobs over-the-month, an increase five times the national rate of growth. August is the fifth month this year to post over-the-month job gains.
In August, Maryland's unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent, once again falling below the national average of 4.4 percent. Maryland unemployment now stands at pre-recession rates; the last time Maryland saw an equivalent unemployment rate was May 2008.
"From day one, a top priority of our administration has been growing our private sector and creating more jobs and we have made incredible progress," said Governor Larry Hogan. "In just two and a half years, Maryland has added more than 10 times more private sector jobs than were added in the previous 8 years, and the unemployment rate is at the lowest it has been in nearly a decade. We pledged to put our state on a new path and turn around our economy, and we are doing exactly that."
Since January 2015, Maryland has gained 127,600 jobs. Of the 14,200 jobs gained last month, 9,700 were in the private sector. Compared with August 2016, private sector jobs are up by 57,900, an over-the-year change of 2.6%.
"August’s job gains are the second-highest in the past seven years," said Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. "Our regulatory reform and workforce development programs are creating opportunities for both business owners and job seekers, and the numbers reflect that. The Department of Labor is proud to do its part to ensure our citizens have jobs."
According to the data released today, the Professional and Business Services sector increased by 5,300 jobs, including 3,100 jobs in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector and 2,100 jobs in the Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services subsector. The Mining, Logging and Construction sector increased by 3,200 jobs, while the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector added 1,700 jobs. Other sectors that experienced growth in August include the Manufacturing, Financial Activities, and Information sectors.
Further, the state’s preliminary jobs estimate for July was revised upward by BLS from a gain of 800 to a gain of 3,400 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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