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December 21, 2023

CT job growth slows in Nov.; unemployment rate ticks up

Pixabay | pixabay.com/photos/night-city-hartford-connecticut-4027073/ Downtown Hartford at night.
By Greg Bordonaro

Job growth in Connecticut slowed during the month of November, causing the state’s unemployment rate to experience a slight uptick, labor officials said. 

However, Connecticut’s 3.6% jobless rate is still below the U.S.’ 3.7% unemployment rate. 

Connecticut employers added 500 jobs during the month of November, according to the state Department of Labor. The DOL also revised downward the number of jobs added during the month of October, from 3,700 to 3,400.

For the year, employers have added 20,700 jobs in the state. 

"While November gains were smaller than in recent months, job growth in 2023 has been slightly faster than the solid pace set in 2022," said state DOL Office of Research Director Patrick Flaherty.

Flaherty added that “Connecticut has entered a period of steady, sustainable job growth and low unemployment — a condition that will persist as long as the national economy continues to avoid recession.”

The labor shortage continues to be a drag on the state’s economy. There were 89,000 job openings in the state at the end of October, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Connecticut employers currently have about 75,000 open jobs posted across a broad cross section of industries, DOL said.

The state has about 23,000 weekly unemployment filers, DOL said.

Four of the 10 major industry supersectors added jobs in November 2023, while five declined.

Labor officials noted that administrative and support services saw a loss of 1,800 jobs in November, primarily related to reduced demand for building services, such as maintenance and landscaping. 

This is due to a number of factors including weather, improved technology and fewer people in office buildings, DOL said. 

The four industry supersectors that increased employment in November included:

  • Educational and Health Services +1,000, 0.3%, 358,600
  • Leisure and Hospitality +800, 0.5%, 154,800
  • Government +800, 0.3%, 233,100
  • Manufacturing +300, 0.2%, 158,400

The five industry supersectors that decreased jobs were:

  • Professional and Business Services -1,200, -0.5%, 221,900
  • Financial Activities -500, -0.4%, 113,800
  • Information -300, -0.9%, 31,600
  • Construction and Mining -200, -0.3%, 61,700
  • Trade, Transportation & Utilities -200, -0.1%, 302,200
     

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