Maryland Adds 500 Jobs in January
Unemployment rate holds steady at 5.5 percent
BALTIMORE, MD (March 17, 2015) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released state jobs and unemployment data earlier today. According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland added 500 total jobs over-the-month. The private sector decreased by 300 jobs and the public sector gained 800 jobs. Since January 2014, Maryland's private sector has added 34,000 jobs. Maryland's preliminary January unemployment rate was estimated to be 5.5 percent.
"Although this month's report reflects losses from seasonal hospitality employment reductions, it also shows that Maryland employers are creating jobs in our professional business services and trade, transportation and utilities sectors. We're investing in skills development and training programs that are helping to put more Marylanders back to work. The Maryland Department of Labor remains focused on accelerating hiring and job growth," said Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.
According to the data released today, the Professional and Business Services sector gained 1,900 jobs in January. (The Administrative and Support Services subsector added 800 jobs and the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector added 1,100 jobs.) The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector added 1,000 jobs. (The Wholesale Trade subsector added 500 jobs; the Retail Trade subsector gained 700 jobs and the Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities subsector declined by 200 jobs.) The Information sector added 600 jobs. The Other Services sector gained 200 jobs. The Financial Activities sector added 100 jobs in January. (The Real Estate and Rental and Leasing subsector added 100 jobs.) The Leisure and Hospitality sector declined by 2,800 jobs in January. (The Arts, Entertainment and Recreation subsector added 1,300 jobs and the Accommodation and Food Services subsector decreased by 4,100 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.