(Wethersfield, CT) – Today, Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo released the March jobs data showing continued positive trends for Connecticut. The unemployment rate fell 0.3% to an estimated 4.6%. Approximately 10,000 jobs have been added to the state’s economy in just two months. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 4,600 jobs were added in March and revised numbers show 5,400 jobs were added in February. Additionally, unemployment claims are near a historic low with 22,000 weekly filers. Currently, there are a record 100,000 job openings in the state, signaling a strong market for job seekers.
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “This is another strong jobs report for the state and continues the trends we’ve seen for months: the unemployment rate is down and employers are adding jobs. Connecticut is a great place to be if you want to get a new job, advance your career, or improve your salary and benefits. Economists are watching several key indicators including energy prices, inflation, and the labor shortage. We don’t yet know to what extent these could impact the labor market, so we urge any job seeker still on the sidelines to get back into the workforce.”
CTDOL Director of Research Patrick Flaherty said, “This new data continue trends we’ve seen for months as the state recovers from the pandemic closures. Unemployment claims are now close to historic lows and continue to decline; that’s good news and an important bellwether for the state’s economy. In Connecticut, we want to keep an eye on a few things: the disrupted energy markets and how interest rate increases would impact the state’s financial sector and, in turn, the state budget.”
TOPLINE POINTS FROM THE REPORT:
An estimated 4,600 jobs were added in March. February job growth was revised to 5,400 jobs added.
- Construction and manufacturing industries remain strong and on a growth trajectory.
- Private sector job growth is strong, government sector jobs remain on a downward trend.
- The Administration and Support Services sector experienced high growth in March—3,300 jobs, partially due to the landscaping industry. Last month this sector dropped.
- The Healthcare and Social Services sector declined, likely due to weakness in the nursing home industry.