Department of Labor Releases March Unemployment Report
Professional and Business Services Leads the Way in Sector Growth
BALTIMORE (April 20, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released state jobs and unemployment data. Maryland jobs increased by 3,200 in March – the second month this year to post over-the-month gains – with the majority of those gains coming from the Professional and Business Services and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sectors. Further, total and private employment are up over-the-year at 10,800 and 12,500 jobs, respectively.
Maryland’s unemployment rate is currently 4.3 percent. The state’s initial unemployment insurance claims for March are at a ten-year low, while the total number of Maryland employers paying into the employee tax system continues to increase. Since the start of the year, Maryland has added 1,723 new employers.
“We’re seeing increased participation in the labor force, as well as an increase in the number of jobs,” said Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “For those Marylanders returning to the workforce, the Department of Labor is ready to assist you in finding your next position. In fact, we'll not only help you find a job, we'll assist you in developing the occupational skills you’ll need to turn that job into a career.”
Last month, 1,500 jobs were gained in the Professional and Business Services sector. A gain of 1,800 jobs in the Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services subsector offset losses in the Management of Companies and Enterprises (200 jobs) and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (100 jobs) subsectors. 1,400 jobs were gained in the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector, all within the Retail Trade subsector (2,000 jobs). Losses in the Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (300 jobs) and Wholesale Trade (300 jobs) subsectors countered these gains.
Other sectors experiencing growth include Mining, Logging, and Construction (700 jobs) and Leisure and Hospitality (700 jobs).
Other Services remained the same.
Sectors experiencing decline include Financial Activities, Manufacturing, Education and Health Services, and Information. Of these, Financial Activities experienced the largest decline (500 jobs), with a decrease of 600 jobs in the Finance and Insurance subsector. (Real Estate and Rental and Leasing offset the decline with an increase of 100 jobs.) Historically, this sector has exhibited over-the-month declines in four of the past ten years.
February’s preliminary jobs estimate as reported by BLS was revised upward by 2,200 jobs, to a loss of 1,000 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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