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Employment in Connecticut covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) decreased by 16,717 during 2002, a decline of 1.0 percent, according to preliminary figures (see the complete table on pages 2 and 3). The State's over-the-year decrease marked the second consecutive decline in annual average employment after eight consecutive years of expansion. Total private industry employment, constituting 85.5 percent of the State's employment total, decreased 1.5 percent in 2002, while government employment (including Indian tribal councils and related establishments) grew 1.8 percent in 2002.
The annual average wage of all Connecticut workers decreased by 0.3 percent to $46,850 in 2002. The annual pay of private industry workers dropped 0.7 percent in 2002 to $47,386, while pay for government sector employees was $43,693, an increase of 2.9 percent.
The total number of business establishments in the State increased by 0.4 percent during 2002, totaling 108,025 at the end of the year compared to 107,576 at the end of 2001. Total private establishments numbered 104,367 in 2002 versus 103,889 in 2001. The number of government work sites dipped in 2002, 3,658 compared to 3,687 at the end of the prior year.
Sector Employment and Wages
Educational services recorded the largest percentage increase in annual average private employment over the previous year, up 3.8 percent. Health care and social assistance and accommodation and food services followed, growing 3.0 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively. Oppositely, the information sector showed the largest percentage decline in employment, dropping 7.9 percent during the year, followed by manufacturing, down 6.6 percent; and administrative and waste management, down 4.0 percent.
The highest average annual wage was earned in the finance and insurance sector, $98,207. Next highest were management of companies and enterprises, utilities, professional and technical services, and wholesale trade. On the opposite end of the scale, workers in the accommodation and food services sector recorded the lowest pay, $15,851.
Commissioner James F. Abromaitis of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced that Connecticut communities authorized 928 new housing units in July 2003, a 0.1 percent increase compared to July of 2002 when 927 units were authorized.
The Department further indicated that the 928 units permitted in July 2003 represent an 18.8 percent decrease from the 1,143 units permitted in June 2003. The year-to-date permits are down 3.4 percent, from 5,723 through July 2002, to 5,526 through July 2003.
The Danbury Labor Market Area (LMA) showed the largest percentage increase (68%) of permits issued when compared to a year ago. For year-to-date, four of the ten LMAs (Hartford, Torrington, Waterbury and Danielson) showed increases in permit authorizations. Groton led all towns with 41 new units, followed by Oxford with 24 and Bristol with 22. From a county perspective, only Hartford and New London counties had year-to-date gains of 19.4 percent and 0.4 percent respectively.
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