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State of Connecticut Labor Situation

Last Updated: January 6th, 2026

CT jobs up 2,100 in November down 700 in October 2025; state unemployment rate 4.0%

WETHERSFIELD, January 6, 2025 - Connecticut nonfarm industry employment increased 2,100 jobs (0.1%) over-the-month in November 2025, to a level of 1,714,400, while the state's unemployment rate was calculated at 4.0% for November (preliminary, seasonally adjusted data). October and November CT Labor Situation releases were combined and delayed by the federal government shutdown. There is no unemployment data for October. This release includes the latest nonfarm industry job estimates for September, October, and November 2025. Nonfarm employment in the state is now just 1,800 (0.1%) positions higher than November 2024. The Connecticut October 2025 nonfarm job estimates show a decrease of 700 (-0.04%) and the September 2025 loss of 5,700 was revised even lower by 1,100 to a 6,800 (-0.4%) job loss. The September 2025 Connecticut jobless rate of 3.8% was unchanged for the fifth month in a row. The November 2024 CT jobless rate was 3.2%. Connecticut remains below the U.S. rate (currently 4.6% for November) for the 35th consecutive month. This labor statistics release presents current estimated data from two different monthly surveys (businesses and household) produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in association with the states. The federal government shutdown has delayed the monthly labor statistics releases.

â€œThe situation is mixed. The November jobs increase shows the Connecticut labor market remains resilient, job growth slowed during the latter part of 2025,â€ said Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. â€œThe unemployment rate remains low by historic standards and some industries, such as Construction, have shown strength all year. Some other November gainers, such as Health Care and Social Assistance, are offsetting losses from prior months.â€

Nonfarm Jobs Detail (business establishment survey)

Connecticut's Private Sector employment was higher by 1,900 positions (0.1%) in November 2025 to 1,477,700 but is now down by 500 jobs (-0.03%) from the November 2024 level. October's private sector job estimate showed a 900 job decline (-0.1%) and September's decrease was adjusted lower by 1,200 to a 6,900 loss (-0.5%). The aggregate government supersector was slightly higher by 200 (0.1%) in November to a level of 236,700 jobs and is now higher by 2,300 (1.0%) positions over the year. Connecticut's total government supersector consists of all civilian federal, state, local, and tribal government employment, including public education and Native American casino jobs located on federally recognized tribal reservations.

Six of the ten major industry supersectors gained jobs or were unchanged in November 2025, while four supersectors declined. The Financial Activities supersector was unchanged in November 2025.

The six industry supersectors that increased employment or held steady in November 2025 included:

Education & Health Services +1,400 0.4% 371,900
Leisure & Hospitality +800 0.5% 155,200
Construction & Mining +600 0.9% 64,500
Government +200 0.1% 236,700
Manufacturing +100 0.1% 153,500
Financial Activities unchanged 0.0% 118,900

The four industry supersectors that decreased in jobs in November 2025 were:

Information -500 -1.6% 30,200
Professional and Business Services -200 -0.1% 223,400
Trade, Transportation & Utilities -200 -0.1% 294,700
Other Services -100 -0.2% 65,400

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT
Jobs - by Place of Work

CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES - Seasonally Adjusted
	November	October	September	August	November	Over Month		Over Year
	2025 P	2025 R	2025 R	2025	2024	Change	Rate	Change	Rate

CONNECTICUT	1,714,400	1,712,300	1,713,000	1,719,800	1,712,600	2,100	0.1%	1,800	0.1%
Total Private	1,477,700	1,475,800	1,476,700	1,483,600	1,478,200	1,900	0.1%	-500	0.0%
Goods Producing Industries
Mining	500	500	500	500	500	0	0.0%	0	0.0%
Construction	64,000	63,400	63,000	62,400	63,100	600	0.9%	900	1.4%
Manufacturing	153,500	153,400	153,300	153,500	155,500	100	0.1%	-2,000	-1.3%
Durable Goods	121,300	121,000	120,900	120,700	122,100	300	0.2%	-800	-0.7%
Nondurable Goods	32,200	32,400	32,400	32,800	33,400	-200	-0.6%	-1,200	-3.6%
Service Providing Industries
Trade, Transportation & Utilities	294,700	294,900	296,400	298,500	298,900	-200	-0.1%	-4,200	-1.4%
Wholesale	60,800	61,000	61,200	61,800	61,100	-200	-0.3%	-300	-0.5%
Retail	162,400	162,200	162,500	162,900	164,200	200	0.1%	-1,800	-1.1%
Transp, Warehousing & Utilities	71,500	71,700	72,700	73,800	73,600	-200	-0.3%	-2,100	-2.9%
Information	30,200	30,700	30,800	31,000	30,200	-500	-1.6%	0	0.0%
Financial Activities	118,900	118,900	118,500	120,100	118,500	0	0.0%	400	0.3%
Finance & Insurance	99,100	99,000	98,700	100,000	98,600	100	0.1%	500	0.5%
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing	19,800	19,900	19,800	20,100	19,900	-100	-0.5%	-100	-0.5%
Professional & Business Services	223,400	223,600	222,800	223,500	221,600	-200	-0.1%	1,800	0.8%
Prof, Scientific & Tech Services	104,100	104,000	104,200	103,900	101,200	100	0.1%	2,900	2.9%
Management of Companies	30,600	30,800	30,900	31,000	30,900	-200	-0.6%	-300	-1.0%
Admn & Support & Waste Mgt Serv	88,700	88,800	87,700	88,600	89,500	-100	-0.1%	-800	-0.9%
Educational & Health Services	371,900	370,500	371,100	373,100	370,800	1,400	0.4%	1,100	0.3%
Private Educational Services	72,500	72,800	73,500	73,800	75,300	-300	-0.4%	-2,800	-3.7%
Health Care & Social Assistance	299,400	297,700	297,600	299,300	295,500	1,700	0.6%	3,900	1.3%
Leisure and Hospitality	155,200	154,400	155,300	156,000	154,900	800	0.5%	300	0.2%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation	29,100	28,400	28,800	28,700	28,000	700	2.5%	1,100	3.9%
Accommodation & Food Services	126,100	126,000	126,500	127,300	126,900	100	0.1%	-800	-0.6%
Other Services	65,400	65,500	65,000	65,000	64,200	-100	-0.2%	1,200	1.9%
Government**	236,700	236,500	236,300	236,200	234,400	200	0.1%	2,300	1.0%
UNITED STATES	159,552,000	159,488,000	159,593,000	159,485,000	158,619,000	64,000	0.0%	933,000	0.6%

Connecticut Labor Market Areas (LMAs): Three of the 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) revealed nonfarm job gains in November 2025, while two Metros declined. The state's largest Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford LMA (0.2%, 612,200) added 1,300 positions leading in both numeric and percentage monthly jobs gains. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury LMA (0.1%, 410,700) increased employment by 300 and the New Haven LMA (0.03%, 294,400) was up by 100 payrolls. The Norwich-New London-Willimantic LMA (-0.5%, 127,700) declined 600 positions and the Waterbury-Shelton LMA (-0.2%, 160,600) was also down by 300 jobs.

LABOR MARKET AREAS (LMAs, COG-based)
Labor Market Area employment estimates are made independently of Statewide estimates.

Seasonally Adjusted data (Metros)	November	October	September	August	November	Over Month		Over Year
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (5 CT MSAs)	2025 P	2025 R	2025 R	2025	2024	Change	Rate	Change	Rate
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury	410,700	410,400	411,100	412,400	409,200	300	0.1%	1,500	0.4%
Hartford	612,200	610,900	611,100	611,600	609,300	1,300	0.2%	2,900	0.5%
New Haven	294,400	294,300	294,800	295,500	294,400	100	0.0%	0	0.0%
Norwich-New London-Willimantic	127,700	128,300	128,100	128,200	127,600	-600	-0.5%	100	0.1%
Waterbury - Shelton	160,600	160,900	161,000	162,600	161,000	-300	-0.2%	-400	-0.2%
Not Seasonally Adjusted data (Non-
Putnam - Northeastern	29,000	29,100	29,000	29,100	28,900	-100	-0.3%	100	0.3%
Torrington - Northwest Hills	38,400	38,700	38,500	38,700	38,200	-300	-0.8%	200	0.5%

* Less than 0					P = Preliminary		R = Revised
Starting in March, 2011, our monthly statewide and major LMA nonfarm job estimates have been taken over by the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the final phase of transition in this program, which began in 2008. As a result of changes in the estimation procedures, you are likely to see more variability in month-to-month estimates of job counts. Caution should be used in interpreting any single month’s estimate. The data are best interpreted to identify trends and cycles over several months and quarters. If you have any questions about these changes, please email us at: dol.lmi@ct.gov. COG - Council of Government regions.



Connecticut Labor Situation								November 2025

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 November 2025 Private Sector average work week, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.8 hours (AWH). This is down one-tenth of an hour from the September 2024 average (-0.3%, 33.9). Average hourly earnings (AHE) at $39.24 in September 2025, not seasonally adjusted, were up by $0.97 (2.5%) from the September 2024 average estimate of $38.27. The resultant September 2025 private sector average weekly earnings (AWE = AWH x AHE) were estimated at $1,326.31, higher by $28.96 (2.2%) from a year ago ($1,297.35). The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, U.S. City Average, not seasonally adjusted - all items index) for September 2025 was up 3.0% from a year ago.

	AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS				AVG WEEKLY HOURS				AVG HOURLY EARNINGS
	Nov		CHG	Oct	Nov		CHG	Oct	Nov		CHG	Oct
(Not seasonally adjusted)	2025	2024	Y/Y	2025	2025	2024	Y/Y	2025	2025	2024	Y/Y	2025
PRODUCTION WORKER
MANUFACTURING	$1,182.79	$1,233.61	-$50.82	$1,162.58	40.8	39.4	1.4	40.2	$28.99	$31.31	-$2.32	$28.92
DURABLE GOODS	1,216.00	1,300.96	-84.96	1,194.03	40.0	38.8	1.2	39.2	30.40	33.53	-3.13	30.46
NON-DUR. GOODS	1,076.21	1,028.28	47.93	1,065.86	43.1	41.0	2.1	43.1	24.97	25.08	-0.11	24.73
CONSTRUCTION	1,644.30	1,555.32	88.98	1,691.65	40.6	39.0	1.6	41.3	40.50	39.88	0.62	40.96

ALL EMPLOYEES
STATEWIDE
TOTAL PRIVATE	1,352.18	1,283.05	69.13	1,327.44	34.0	33.5	0.5	33.7	39.77	38.30	1.47	39.39
GOODS PRODUCING	1,578.38	1,546.43	31.95	1,574.22	38.8	39.5	-0.7	38.2	40.68	39.15	1.53	41.21
Construction	1,671.80	1,569.96	101.84	1,689.74	38.3	37.3	1.0	38.1	43.65	42.09	1.56	44.35
Manufacturing	1,493.60	1,498.40	-4.80	1,465.62	40.0	40.0	0.0	39.0	37.34	37.46	-0.12	37.58
SERVICE PROVIDING	1,314.39	1,238.90	75.49	1,283.76	33.2	32.5	0.7	32.9	39.59	38.12	1.47	39.02
Trade, Transp., Utilities	1,053.44	985.16	68.28	1,049.39	33.2	31.8	1.4	32.6	31.73	30.98	0.75	32.19
Financial Activities	2,409.83	2,115.48	294.35	2,294.73	38.1	36.9	1.2	37.6	63.25	57.33	5.92	61.03
Prof. & Business Serv.	1,672.93	1,621.02	51.91	1,610.05	35.8	35.8	0.0	35.2	46.73	45.28	1.45	45.74
Education & Health Ser.	1,230.77	1,168.28	62.49	1,226.10	33.3	32.9	0.4	33.5	36.96	35.51	1.45	36.60
Leisure & Hospitality	651.64	630.70	20.94	642.42	25.9	26.5	-0.6	25.8	25.16	23.80	1.36	24.90
Other Services	849.53	851.14	-1.61	816.22	27.6	28.6	-1.0	26.7	30.78	29.76	1.02	30.57

LABOR MARKET AREAS: TOTAL PRIVATE
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury	1,449.86	1,333.97	115.89	1,407.99	34.3	33.5	0.8	33.7	42.27	39.82	2.45	41.78
Hartford-W.Hartford-E.Hartford	1,314.10	1,318.86	-4.76	1,298.64	34.0	34.0	0.0	33.6	38.65	38.79	-0.14	38.65
New Haven	1,260.85	1,204.09	56.76	1,257.98	33.4	32.8	0.6	33.6	37.75	36.71	1.04	37.44
Norwich-New London-Willimantic	1,145.12	1,120.61	24.51	1,111.20	31.8	32.1	-0.3	31.1	36.01	34.91	1.10	35.73
Waterbury-Shelton	1,194.98	1,151.24	43.74	1,164.91	33.9	33.9	0.0	33.6	35.25	33.96	1.29	34.67

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 over the 2 months from September 2025 to November 2025, 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. BLS did not collect survey data for October 2025 due to a lapse in appropriations.

The seasonally adjusted index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent over the 2 months ending in November. From September to November, the index for shelter increased 0.2 percent. The energy index rose 1.1 percent over the same 2-month period and the food index increased 0.1 percent. Other indexes which increased over the 2 months ending in November include household furnishings and operations, communication, and personal care. In contrast, the indexes for lodging away from home, recreation, and apparel decreased over the same 2-month period.

The all items index rose 2.7 percent for the 12 months ending November, after rising 3.0 percent over the 12 months ending September. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.6 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 4.2 percent for the 12 months ending November. The food index increased 2.6 percent over the last year.

BLS did not collect survey data for October 2025 due to a lapse in appropriations. BLS was unable to retroactively collect these data. For a few indexes, BLS uses nonsurvey data sources instead of survey data to make the index calculations. BLS was able to retroactively acquire most of the nonsurvey data for October. CPI data collection resumed on November 14, 2025.

Additional information about the impact of the shutdown on CPI data is available online at https://www.bls.gov/cpi/additional-resources/2025-federal-government-shutdown-impact-cpi.htm

State of Connecticut Unemployment Rate vs. United States Unemployment Rate

The preliminary November 2025 unemployment rate for Connecticut was estimated by the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program (LAUS) to be 4.0% (seasonally adjusted). This has no comparison to October 2025 - due to no CPS survey conducted due to federal government shutdown. CT's unemployment rate is up eight-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago (3.2%).

Month	2018			2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			2024			2025			2026
Month	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	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	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	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	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	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	4.4	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	4.4	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	4.4	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	3.8	4.3	0.5
Sep	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	3.8	4.4	0.6
Oct	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	4.3	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	4.0	4.6	0.6
Dec	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) in Connecticut for November 2025 were 2,885. This is 833 (40.6%) claims higher than October 2025 (2,052) and higher by 264 claims (10.1%) than the November 2024 (2,621) level.

Month	2021			2022			2023			2024			2025			2026
Month	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	1,938.8	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	1,933.3	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	1,927.1	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	1,830.8	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	1,905.1	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	1,896.4	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	1,905.1	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	1,864.0	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	1,949.9	1,876.7	73.3
Sep	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	1,944.5	1,870.5	74.0
Oct	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	1,824.6	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	1,937.7	1,860.5	77.0
Dec	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.

Preliminary December 2025 Labor Situation release date is pending BLS announcement.