- July jobs growth in Connecticut is strongest in 2021
- 9,400 jobs added, led by growth in government as well as educational and health services
- Labor Department sees ongoing recovery aided by easing child care burdens and vaccination efforts
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
Connecticut experienced its strongest month of job growth so far this year, posting a net gain of 9,400 positions in July. The state’s unemployment rate fell from 7.7 percent in June to 7.3 percent.
Jobs in Connecticut have been growing for seven consecutive months, and the state has recovered 30,000 positions and seen its unemployment rate tick down 1.2 points since December. Sixty-seven percent of the jobs lost in March and April have been replaced.
- The private sector added 6,400 jobs, including 2,200 in educational and health services, 1,500 in construction, and 1,500 in trade, transportation, and utilities
- Government jobs – which include federal, state, and local government as well as public education and casinos – were up by 3,000
- Sectors with net job losses included other services (down 800 from June), financial services (down 600), and manufacturing (down 200)
- Some sectors like retail and food service, have recovered more than 70 percent of the jobs lost at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Interim Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said the data shows strong signs of economic recovery, aided by vaccination efforts, school resumption, and increased child care capacity
- Weekly unemployment filers have been trending down, although the 130,000 current filers are still well the above pre-pandemic level of 40,000
