- Connecticut adds 4,700 new jobs in September, a stronger pace compared to modest jobs gains in August
- The state’s unemployment rate has fallen to 6.8 percent but remains above the national rate
- Trade, transportation, and utilities led monthly growth, while leisure and hospitality had the strongest year-over-year growth
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
Hiring in Connecticut picked up in September after slower jobs gains in August, with the state seeing a net gain of 4,700 new positions. The state is up 40,500 jobs compared to September 2020, and has regained 70.4 percent of the 292,400 jobs it lost at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Connecticut’s unemployment rate fell from 7.2 percent in August to 6.8 percent. This remains two points above the national rate.
“While there is more work to do, both unemployment and job growth rates continue to be positive news for the state’s economy and our workforce,” said Dante Bartolomeo, interim commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor. “There are thousands of good paying jobs with benefits out there and employers are hiring quickly—in some cases on site at job fairs and other events. It’s a great time for workers to strengthen their skills, get into the market, and even start a whole new career.”
- September’s report marks the ninth consecutive month of jobs gains and a stronger increase compared to August’s downwardly revised figure of a net gain of 3,000 new jobs
- A net gain of 4,900 jobs in the private sector was offset by a net loss of 200 jobs in the government sector
- Trade, transportation, and utilities had the strongest growth with a net gain of 3,600 jobs, including 1,900 in wholesale trade and 1,300 in transportation and warehousing
- Other strong gains included 1,700 new jobs in construction and mining as well as 1,100 new jobs in educational and health services; construction jobs are now on par with pre-pandemic levels
- Jobs in the other services sector were down 1,400 compared to August, while professional and business services were down by 1,100
- Leisure and hospitality jobs were up 12,900, or 10.7 percent compared to September 2020; educational and health services as well as professional and business services also had strong annual gains, while financial services and information posted losses
- Five of the state’s six Labor Market Areas saw jobs gains, led by 4,400 net new jobs in the Hartford area; the Waterbury area saw a net loss of 200 jobs
- The average private sector work week in Connecticut in September was 34.1 hours, while the average hourly pay was $33.93
