Home

About

Publications

FAQ

Glossary

Contact

State of Connecticut Labor Situation

Last Updated: August 18, 2025

CT jobless rate (3.8%) is unchanged in July as nonfarm industry payrolls gain 700.

WETHERSFIELD,  August 18, 2025 - Connecticut nonfarm payrolls increased 700 jobs (0.04%) in July 2025, to a level of 1,719,200, while the state's unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8% (preliminary, seasonally adjusted data) for the third month in a row. Nonagricultural industry payrolls in the state are 10,600 (0.6%) positions higher than a year ago and at a new post-COVID highpoint. The June 2025 preliminary job increase of 6,300 (0.4%) was revised lower by only 200 to a 6,100 jobs gain (0.4%) on the normal monthly revision. The July 2025 preliminary Connecticut jobless rate of 3.8% is unchanged for the third month in a row but higher by seven-tenths of one percent from a year ago (3.1%). Connecticut remains below the U.S. rate (currently 4.2%) for the 31st consecutive month. This labor statistics release presents current estimated data from two different monthly surveys (household and workplace) produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in association with the states. "Connecticut's unemployment rate has been below 4% for three years," said Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. "While job growth has slowed from the frenetic pace following the COVID lockdown, many industries are growing. For example, Finance & Insurance and Professional, Technical, & Scientific Services have had solid gains over the past year." Nonfarm Jobs Detail (business establishment survey)

"One-time events, most significantly a labor dispute, contributed to May's decline" said Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. "So far this year the employment picture has been mixed, consistent with an economy that is growing but growing slower than the rapid pace following the COVID lockdown."

NONFARM  EMPLOYMENT Jobs - by Place of Work CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES - Seasonally Adjusted July June May April July Over Month Over Year  2025 P 2025 R 2025 2025 2024 Change Rate   Change  Rate   CONNECTICUT 1,719,200 1,718,500 1,712,400 1,711,800 1,708,600 700 0.0% 10,600 0.6% Total Private 1,482,500 1,482,300 1,477,300 1,476,800 1,472,100 200 0.0% 10,400 0.7% Goods Producing Industries   Mining 500 500 500 500 500 0 0.0% 0 0.0%   Construction   62,800 63,000 63,100 61,900 63,300 -200 -0.3%   -500 -0.8%   Manufacturing 153,100 153,100 150,600 154,400 155,800 0 0.0% -2,700 -1.7%     Durable Goods   119,800 120,000 117,400 121,200 122,200 -200 -0.2%   -2,400 -2.0%     Nondurable Goods 33,300 33,100 33,200 33,200 33,600 200 0.6% -300 -0.9% Service Providing Industries   Trade, Transportation & Utilities 297,400 299,000 299,900 300,400 298,300 -1,600 -0.5%   -900 -0.3%     Wholesale 61,900 62,500 62,200 61,400 60,800 -600 -1.0% 1,100 1.8%     Retail     162,900 162,900 164,100 165,600 165,300 0 0.0%   -2,400 -1.5%     Transp, Warehousing & Utilities 72,600 73,600 73,600 73,400 72,200 -1,000 -1.4% 400 0.6%   Information   31,400 30,900 30,600 30,500 31,000 500 1.6%   400 1.3%   Financial Activities 120,100 119,500 119,400 119,600 117,800 600 0.5% 2,300 2.0%     Finance & Insurance   99,900 99,600 99,500 99,600 98,200 300 0.3%   1,700 1.7%     Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 20,200 19,900 19,900 20,000 19,600 300 1.5% 600 3.1%   Professional & Business Services 224,100 222,100 220,600 220,000 220,600 2,000 0.9%   3,500 1.6%     Prof, Scientific & Tech Services 103,600 102,300 101,400 101,700 101,400 1,300 1.3% 2,200 2.2%     Management of Companies  31,100 31,000 30,800 30,900 31,300 100 0.3%   -200 -0.6%     Admn & Support & Waste Mgt Serv 89,400 88,800 88,400 87,400 87,900 600 0.7% 1,500 1.7%   Educational & Health Services 372,200 372,400 372,000 370,200 367,300 -200 -0.1%   4,900 1.3%     Private Educational Services 74,200 73,500 73,900 72,600 74,000 700 1.0% 200 0.3%     Health Care & Social Assistance 298,000 298,900 298,100 297,600 293,300 -900 -0.3%   4,700 1.6%   Leisure and Hospitality 156,400 157,500 157,000 155,400 153,400 -1,100 -0.7% 3,000 2.0%     Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 28,600 28,400 28,300 27,500 28,800 200 0.7%   -200 -0.7%     Accommodation & Food Services 127,800 129,100 128,700 127,900 124,600 -1,300 -1.0% 3,200 2.6%   Other Services   64,500 64,300 63,600 63,900 64,100 200 0.3%   400 0.6%   Government** 236,700 236,200 235,100 235,000 236,500 500 0.2% 200 0.1% UNITED STATES  159,724,000 159,577,000 159,433,000 159,275,000 157,915,000 147,000 0.1% 1,809,000 1.1%

Connecticut Labor Market Areas (LMAs): Every one of the five of the new major Connecticut LMAs (the 5 Metros formed from the CT Councils of Governments or COG regions) that are seasonally adjusted by the BLS (about 93.7% coverage of the state) posted small nonfarm industry payroll gains in July 2025. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury LMA (0.2%, 412,200) increased 1,000 jobs, leading in both numeric and percentage gains while the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford LMA(0.1%, 610,500) added 600 positions. The New Haven LMA (0.1%, 295,900) also contributed 300 jobs. The Norwich-New London-Willimantic LMA (0.1%, 128,900) and the Waterbury-Shelton LMA (0.1%, 162,900) both increased 100 payrolls. Note: The new five major Connecticut LMAs are independently estimated from the statewide data by the BLS and cover over 93% of the nonfarm employment in the state. As a result, estimates will not exactly sum to the statewide total. Furthermore, monthly Seasonal Adjustment (SA) on these 5 new designated COG-based labor markets may undergo some shifting seasonality effects due to the concurrent seasonal process exaggerating some movements on the new geographies due to the lack of more precise historical seasonal factors (because the metros are new).

Note: The new five major Connecticut LMAs are independently estimated from the statewide data by the BLS and cover over 93% of the nonfarm employment in the state. As a result, estimates will not exactly sum to the statewide total. Furthermore, monthly Seasonal Adjustment (SA) on these 5 new designated COG-based labor markets may undergo some shifting seasonality effects due to the concurrent seasonal process exaggerating some movements on the new geographies due to the lack of more precise historical seasonal factors (because the metros are new).

Hours and Earnings: The July 2025 Private Sector average work week, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.5 hours (AWH). This is unchanged from the July 2024 average (0.0%, 33.5). Average hourly earnings (AHE) at $38.78 in July 2025, not seasonally adjusted, were up by $1.49 (4.0%) from the July 2024 average estimate of $37.29. The ensuing July 2025 private sector average weekly earnings (AWE=AWHxAHE) were estimated at $1,299.13, higher by $49.91 (4.0%) from a year ago ($1,249.22). The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, U.S. City Average, not seasonally adjusted - all items index) for July 2025 was up 2.7% from a year ago.

AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS    AVG WEEKLY HOURS   AVG HOURLY EARNINGS Jul CHG Jun             Jul CHG Jun               Jul CHG Jun (Not seasonally adjusted) 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025 2025 2024 Y/Y 2025 PRODUCTION WORKER                         MANUFACTURING $1,170.40 $1,196.54 -$26.14 $1,182.24 40.0 38.4 1.6 39.9 $29.26 $31.16 -$1.90 $29.63  DURABLE GOODS 1,214.84 1,251.33 -36.49 1,212.43 39.1 37.6 1.5 38.6 31.07 33.28 -2.21 31.41  NON-DUR. GOODS 1,046.58 1,046.63 -0.05 1,089.68 42.7 40.9 1.8 43.5 24.51 25.59 -1.08 25.05 CONSTRUCTION 1,580.12 1,562.44 17.68 1,543.85 38.9 39.1 -0.2 38.8 40.62 39.96 0.66 39.79                     ALL EMPLOYEES                         STATEWIDE                   TOTAL PRIVATE 1,299.13 1,249.22 49.91 1,304.49 33.5 33.5 0.0 33.5 38.78 37.29 1.49 38.94 GOODS PRODUCING 1,547.32 1,522.07 25.25 1,523.96 38.3 38.7 -0.4 38.3 40.40 39.33 1.07 39.79    Construction 1,617.64 1,551.52 66.12 1,582.32 37.0 37.1 -0.1 37.1 43.72 41.82 1.90 42.65    Manufacturing 1,485.20 1,443.37 41.83 1,462.35 39.5 38.5 1.0 39.3 37.60 37.49 0.11 37.21 SERVICE PROVIDING 1,257.32 1,201.64 55.68 1,267.78 32.7 32.6 0.1 32.7 38.45 36.86 1.59 38.77    Trade, Transp., Utilities 1,050.26 982.37 67.89 1,047.11 32.8 32.4 0.4 32.6 32.02 30.32 1.70 32.12    Financial Activities 2,261.62 2,129.41 132.21 2,182.08 37.7 36.5 1.2 37.7 59.99 58.34 1.65 57.88    Prof. & Business Serv. 1,606.02 1,589.40 16.62 1,629.51 35.5 36.0 -0.5 36.3 45.24 44.15 1.09 44.89    Education & Health Ser. 1,199.13 1,129.38 69.75 1,197.90 33.3 32.5 0.8 33.0 36.01 34.75 1.26 36.30    Leisure & Hospitality 617.87 613.57 4.30 621.23 25.5 26.7 -1.2 25.1 24.23 22.98 1.25 24.75    Other Services 820.76 892.34 -71.58 816.76 28.4 30.3 -1.9 28.0 28.90 29.45 -0.55 29.17 LABOR MARKET AREAS: TOTAL PRIVATE                    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury 1,327.52 1,259.71 67.81 1,347.42 32.9 32.4 0.5 32.8 40.35 38.88 1.47 41.08    Hartford-W.Hartford-E.Hartford 1,280.68 1,292.39 -11.71 1,274.87 33.8 34.1 -0.3 33.7 37.89 37.90 -0.01 37.83    New Haven 1,238.47 1,200.87 37.60 1,258.99 33.4 33.1 0.3 33.6 37.08 36.28 0.80 37.47    Norwich-New London-Willimantic 1,162.85 1,095.83 67.02 1,109.12 32.5 31.8 0.7 31.5 35.78 34.46 1.32 35.21    Waterbury-Shelton 1,174.43 1,090.32 84.11 1,184.31 34.3 33.6 0.7 34.7 34.24 32.45 1.79 34.13 Note: Current all-employee private sector hours and earnings estimates can be volatile due to fluctuating sample responses..

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in July, after rising 0.3 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter rose 0.2 percent in July and was the primary factor in the all items monthly increase. The food index was unchanged over the month as the food away from home index rose 0.3 percent while the food at home index fell 0.1 percent. In contrast, the index for energy fell 1.1 percent in July as the index for gasoline decreased 2.2 percent over the month. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in July, following a 0.2-percent increase in June. Indexes that increased over the month include medical care, airline fares, recreation, household furnishings and operations, and used cars and trucks. The indexes for lodging away from home and communication were among the few major indexes that decreased in July. The all items index rose 2.7 percent for the 12 months ending July, after rising 2.7 percent over the 12 months ending June. The all items less food and energy index rose 3.1 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index decreased 1.6 percent for the 12 months ending July. The food index increased 2.9 percent over the last year.

State of Connecticut Unemployment Rate vs. United States Unemployment Rate

The preliminary July 2025 unemployment rate for Connecticut was estimated by the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program (LAUS) to be 3.8% (seasonally adjusted). This is now unchanged for three months in a row. CT's unemployment rate is up seven-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago (3.1%, considered statistically significant OTY). The U.S. unemployment rate for July 2025 was 4.2%, up one-tenth of percentage point from the June 2025 rate (4.1%) but unchanged over the year from 4.2% in July 2024.

Month 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. CT U.S. Jan  5.3 4.8 -0.5 4.6 4.7 0.1 4.2 4.0 -0.2 3.7 4.0 0.3 3.8 3.6 -0.2 7.2 6.4 -0.8 4.8 4.0 -0.8 3.4 3.5 0.1 3.3 3.7 0.4 3.3 4.0 0.7 Feb  5.2 4.9 -0.3 4.5 4.6 0.1 4.2 4.1 -0.1 3.6 3.8 0.2 3.8 3.5 -0.3 7.2 6.2 -1.0 4.6 3.8 -0.8 3.3 3.6 0.3 3.2 3.9 0.7 3.4 4.1 0.7 Mar  5.1 5.0 -0.1 4.5 4.4 -0.1 4.1 4.0 -0.1 3.5 3.8 0.3 3.9 4.4 0.5 7.2 6.1 -1.1 4.4 3.7 -0.7 3.2 3.5 0.3 3.2 3.9 0.7 3.6 4.2 0.6 Apr  5.0 5.1 0.1 4.5 4.4 -0.1 4.0 4.0 0.0 3.5 3.7 0.2 8.3 14.8 6.5 7.2 6.1 -1.1 4.3 3.7 -0.6 3.1 3.4 0.3 3.1 3.9 0.8 3.7 4.2 0.5 May  5.0 4.8 -0.2 4.4 4.4 0.0 3.9 3.8 -0.1 3.5 3.6 0.1 11.9 13.2 1.3 7.0 5.8 -1.2 4.2 3.6 -0.6 3.1 3.6 0.5 3.1 4.0 0.9 3.8 4.2 0.4 Jun  4.9 4.9 0.0 4.4 4.3 -0.1 3.9 4.0 0.1 3.5 3.6 0.1 11.5 11.0 -0.5 7.0 5.9 -1.1 4.0 3.6 -0.4 3.0 3.6 0.6 3.1 4.1 1.0 3.8 4.1 0.3 Jul  4.8 4.8 0.0 4.4 4.3 -0.1 3.8 3.8 0.0 3.5 3.7 0.2 11.7 10.2 -1.5 6.6 5.4 -1.2 3.9 3.5 -0.4 3.1 3.5 0.4 3.1 4.2 1.1 3.8 4.2 0.4 Aug  4.7 4.9 0.2 4.4 4.4 0.0 3.8 3.8 0.0 3.6 3.6 0.0 9.6 8.4 -1.2 6.3 5.1 -1.2 3.7 3.6 -0.1 3.1 3.7 0.6 3.2 4.2 1.0 Sep  4.7 5.0 0.3 4.3 4.3 0.0 3.8 3.7 -0.1 3.6 3.5 -0.1 8.8 7.8 -1.0 5.9 4.7 -1.2 3.7 3.5 -0.2 3.2 3.8 0.6 3.2 4.1 0.9 Oct  4.6 4.9 0.3 4.3 4.2 -0.1 3.7 3.8 0.1 3.6 3.6 0.0 7.9 6.9 -1.0 5.6 4.5 -1.1 3.7 3.6 -0.1 3.3 3.9 0.6 3.2 4.1 0.9 Nov  4.6 4.7 0.1 4.3 4.2 -0.1 3.7 3.8 0.1 3.7 3.6 -0.1 7.5 6.7 -0.8 5.3 4.2 -1.1 3.6 3.6 0.0 3.3 3.7 0.4 3.2 4.2 1.0 Dec  4.6 4.7 0.1 4.3 4.1 -0.2 3.7 3.9 0.2 3.7 3.6 -0.1 7.4 6.7 -0.7 5.0 3.9 -1.1 3.5 3.5 0.0 3.3 3.8 0.5 3.2 4.1 0.9 The nonfarm employment estimate, derived from a survey of businesses, is a measure of jobs in the state; the unemployment rate and labor force estimates are based on a household survey and measure the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Because of the distinct differences both in concept and scope between the two estimates, nonfarm employment and unemployment do not necessarily move in the same economic direction month to month. Job and employment estimates are best understood in the context of their movement over several months rather than observed changes in a single month's value.  Labor Force / Residents Employed / Residents Unemployed Average weekly initial unemployment claims (not seasonally adjusted) for first-time filers (AWIC) Connecticut for July 2025 were 2,898. This is 1,511 (-34.3%) claims lower than June 2025 (4,409) and lower by 211 claims (-6.8%) than the July 2024 (3,109) level. CT AWIC is amazingly low and subdued. Month  2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Labor Force Resident Emp. Resident Unemp. Jan   1,928.9 1,858.3 70.6 1,938.8 1,865.6 73.3 1,811.7 1,680.9 130.8 1,952.9 1,859.1 93.8 1,905.2 1,840.3 64.9 1,926.9 1,863.3 63.6 1,957.3 1,893.4 63.8 Feb   1,928.1 1,858.6 69.5 1,933.3 1,858.9 74.4 1,809.0 1,678.7 130.2 1,948.9 1,860.0 88.9 1,905.5 1,842.7 62.8 1,929.7 1,867.2 62.5 1,957.1 1,890.7 66.4 Mar   1,927.2 1,859.0 68.2 1,927.1 1,851.7 75.4 1,807.6 1,678.0 129.6 1,944.4 1,859.6 84.8 1,906.3 1,845.3 61.0 1,933.0 1,871.5 61.4 1,956.4 1,886.9 69.5 Apr   1,927.0 1,859.8 67.2 1,830.8 1,678.9 151.9 1,808.7 1,678.3 130.4 1,940.4 1,857.6 82.8 1,907.5 1,848.0 59.5 1,936.4 1,875.6 60.8 1,960.1 1,888.0 72.2 May   1,928.0 1,861.3 66.7 1,905.1 1,679.3 225.8 1,806.6 1,679.6 127.0 1,934.9 1,854.3 80.6 1,909.0 1,850.5 58.5 1,939.9 1,879.4 60.5 1,960.2 1,885.9 74.3 Jun   1,930.2 1,863.4 66.9 1,896.4 1,678.4 218.0 1,828.9 1,701.8 127.1 1,927.7 1,849.7 78.0 1,911.1 1,853.0 58.1 1,943.0 1,882.4 60.5 1,956.5 1,882.7 73.8 Jul   1,933.2 1,865.4 67.8 1,905.1 1,682.8 222.3 1,845.4 1,723.3 122.1 1,919.6 1,844.6 75.0 1,913.8 1,855.2 58.6 1,946.1 1,885.1 60.9 1,954.0 1,879.8 74.2 Aug   1,936.3 1,867.3 68.9 1,864.0 1,685.3 178.7 1,863.2 1,745.5 117.7 1,911.6 1,840.2 71.5 1,916.3 1,856.6 59.7 1,949.5 1,888.0 61.5 Sep   1,939.2 1,869.4 69.8 1,852.5 1,689.0 163.5 1,878.9 1,767.3 111.6 1,908.9 1,837.4 71.5 1,918.5 1,857.3 61.3 1,952.8 1,890.8 62.0 Oct   1,941.6 1,871.0 70.5 1,833.0 1,688.5 144.5 1,897.6 1,790.5 107.2 1,907.0 1,836.3 70.7 1,920.5 1,857.8 62.7 1,955.4 1,893.0 62.4 Nov   1,943.0 1,871.6 71.3 1,824.6 1,687.0 137.6 1,915.0 1,813.5 101.5 1,905.8 1,836.6 69.2 1,922.4 1,858.7 63.7 1,955.9 1,893.4 62.5 Dec   1,942.2 1,869.9 72.3 1,819.8 1,684.2 135.6 1,934.2 1,836.5 97.6 1,905.4 1,838.2 67.1 1,924.5 1,860.4 64.1 1,955.6 1,893.2 62.5 The nonfarm employment estimate, derived from a survey of businesses, is a measure of jobs in the state; the unemployment rate and labor force estimates are based on a household survey and measure the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Because of the distinct differences both in concept and scope between the two estimates, nonfarm employment and unemployment do not necessarily move in the same economic direction month to month. Job and employment estimates are best understood in the context of their movement over several months rather than observed changes in a single month's value. Next Connecticut Labor Situation release: Thursday, September 18th, 2025 (Preliminary August 2025 data)

State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109 LMI Home | CTDOL Home | Feedback | This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. (more)

About CT

Policies

Accessibility

Directories

Social Media

For State Employees