Department of Labor Releases October Unemployment Report
October Unemployment Holds Steady at 3.8%
BALTIMORE (Nov. 17, 2017) – Today, 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’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 percent. Maryland’s unemployment remains at a nine-year low and once again falls below the national average of 4.1 percent.
“The Hogan administration is committed to strengthening Maryland’s economy,” said Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “The Department of Labor is fulfilling that commitment through innovative workforce solutions, like the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program. This week, during National Apprenticeship Week, we welcomed six new apprenticeship programs to help Maryland prepare for tomorrow’s workforce, and celebrated our first IT apprentice graduate.”
Since January 2015, Maryland has gained 125,500 jobs. Compared with this time last year, Maryland jobs are up by 54,400, an over-the-year change of 2%.
According to the data released today, the Education and Health Services sector posted the highest gains with an increase of 1,500 jobs: 1,300 in the Health Care and Social Assistance subsector and 200 in the Educational Services subsector. Mining, Logging and Construction also increased, with 500 jobs. The Manufacturing sector increased by 200 jobs.
Experiencing decline were the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector by 3,200 jobs; the Professional and Business Services sector by 2,500 jobs; and the Leisure and Hospitality sector by 1,400 jobs. Information, Financial Activities, and Other Services also decreased. In total, 5,500 jobs were lost from September to October.
The state’s preliminary jobs estimate for September was revised upward by BLS from a gain of 2,400 to a gain of 3,200 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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