Connecticut Department of Labor's Office of Research

Labor Market Information - State of Connecticut Labor Situation

State of Connecticut Labor Situation

Last Updated: December 19, 2024

CT posts a small job gain (+300) in November as the jobless rate holds firm at a low 3.0%.

	WETHERSFIELD, December 19, 2024 - Connecticut industry payrolls added 300 jobs in November 2024 to a level of 1,709,300 as the unemployment rate held steady at 3.0% (preliminary data, seasonally adjusted). Statewide nonfarm industry payrolls are 9,600 (0.6%) positions higher than a year ago. The October 2024 Connecticut preliminary job loss of 300 (-0.02%) was not revised (unchanged) on the normal monthly revision. The November 2024 Connecticut unemployment rate is now well below a year ago (4.2%) and far below the nation (4.2%). This labor statistics release includes estimated data from two different monthly surveys (businesses and households) produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in cooperation with the States. “Private sector jobs are up for the second consecutive month and are up 13,800 so far this year,” said Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. “The increase in Finance & Insurance is particularly encouraging. The very low unemployment rate suggests that jobseekers are having success in the labor market.”

Nonfarm Jobs Detail (business establishment survey)

Connecticut’s Private Sector employment increased in November 2024 by 800 (0.1%) to 1,475,500 and is up by 9,700 jobs (0.7%) from November 2023. October’s preliminary private sector's gain of 900 jobs was adjusted slightly higher on revision to a 1,100 (0.1%) increase. The government supersector again was lower by 500 jobs (-0.2%) in November to a level of 233,000 jobs (fifth month in a row of losses) and is now lower by 100 (-0.04%) positions from last November’s levels. The October 2024 preliminary total government job loss of 1,200 was revised even lower by 200 to -1,400 (-0.6%). 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.

Five of the ten major industry supersectors increased jobs in November 2024, while four declined and the Information supersector was unchanged.

The six industry supersectors that increased employment or were unchanged in November 2024 included:

Educational and Health Services +1,000, 0.3%, 369,400
Financial Activities +500, 0.4%, 119,600
Construction and Mining +300, 0.5%, 63,100
Other Services +300, 0.5%, 64,700
Trade, Transportation & Utilities +300, 0.1%, 297,000
Information unchanged, 0.0%, 30,100

The four industry supersector that fell in jobs in November 2024 were:

Professional and Business Services -900 -0.4% 218,600
Government -500 -0.2% 233,000
Leisure & Hospitality -400 -0.3% 156,000
Construction and Mining -300 -0.2% 157,800

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT
Jobs - by Place of Work

CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES - Seasonally Adjusted
	November	October	September	August	November	Over Month		Over Year
	2024 P	2024 R	2024	2024	2023	Change	Rate	Change	Rate

CONNECTICUT	1,709,300	1,709,000	1,709,300	1,710,600	1,699,700	300	0.0%	9,600	0.6%
Total Private	1,476,300	1,475,500	1,474,400	1,475,000	1,466,600	800	0.1%	9,700	0.7%
Goods Producing Industries
Mining	500	600	600	600	600	-100	-16.7%	-100	-16.7%
Construction	62,600	62,200	61,900	62,600	62,300	400	0.6%	300	0.5%
Manufacturing	157,800	158,100	158,000	157,800	158,100	-300	-0.2%	-300	-0.2%
Durable Goods	123,800	124,100	123,900	123,700	124,000	-300	-0.2%	-200	-0.2%
Nondurable Goods	34,000	34,000	34,100	34,100	34,100	0	0.0%	-100	-0.3%
Service Providing Industries
Trade, Transportation & Utilities	297,000	296,700	295,700	297,200	300,000	300	0.1%	-3,000	-1.0%
Wholesale	62,600	62,200	62,000	62,000	61,200	400	0.6%	1,400	2.3%
Retail	162,900	163,500	164,000	164,100	166,000	-600	-0.4%	-3,100	-1.9%
Transp, Warehousing & Utilities	71,500	71,000	69,700	71,100	72,800	500	0.7%	-1,300	-1.8%
Information	30,100	30,100	30,000	30,700	30,200	0	0.0%	-100	-0.3%
Financial Activities	119,600	119,100	119,300	119,100	117,800	500	0.4%	1,800	1.5%
Finance & Insurance	99,600	99,100	99,400	99,200	98,100	500	0.5%	1,500	1.5%
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing	20,000	20,000	19,900	19,900	19,700	0	0.0%	300	1.5%
Professional & Business Services	218,600	219,500	220,100	218,300	220,500	-900	-0.4%	-1,900	-0.9%
Prof, Scientific & Tech Services	101,200	101,600	101,500	100,700	100,600	-400	-0.4%	600	0.6%
Management of Companies	31,700	31,700	32,200	31,700	31,700	0	0.0%	0	0.0%
Admn & Support & Waste Mgt Serv	85,700	86,200	86,400	85,900	88,200	-500	-0.6%	-2,500	-2.8%
Educational & Health Services	369,400	368,400	368,500	369,000	361,400	1,000	0.3%	8,000	2.2%
Private Educational Services	74,600	74,300	74,300	74,700	73,500	300	0.4%	1,100	1.5%
Health Care & Social Assistance	294,800	294,100	294,200	294,300	287,900	700	0.2%	6,900	2.4%
Leisure and Hospitality	156,000	156,400	156,200	156,400	152,100	-400	-0.3%	3,900	2.6%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation	30,000	29,600	29,400	29,300	28,000	400	1.4%	2,000	7.1%
Accommodation & Food Services	126,000	126,800	126,800	127,100	124,100	-800	-0.6%	1,900	1.5%
Other Services	64,700	64,400	64,100	63,300	63,600	300	0.5%	1,100	1.7%
Government**	233,000	233,500	234,900	235,600	233,100	-500	-0.2%	-100	0.0%
UNITED STATES	159,288,000	159,061,000	159,025,000	158,770,000	157,014,000	227,000	0.1%	2,274,000	1.4%

Connecticut Labor Market Areas (LMAs): Two of the six major Connecticut LMAs that are seasonally adjusted by the BLS (about 92.3% of the state) posted nonfarm payroll job gains in November 2024 while three BLS labor markets saw monthly declines and the Danbury LMA (0.0%, 78,200) was unchanged. The New Haven LMA (307,300) led the regions in numeric (1,400) and percentage gains (0.5%) while the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford LMA (0.1%, 589,300) increased 800. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk LMA (-0.02%, 409,400), the Norwich-New London-Westerly LMA (-0.1%, 126,400) and the Waterbury LMA (-0.1%, 66,600) each experienced small monthly declines of 100.

LABOR MARKET AREAS - Not Seasonally Adjusted

	Nov 2024 P		Nov 2023 R		Change		Oct 2024 R
	Number	Rate	Number	Rate	Number	Points	Number	Rate

Bridgeport-Stamford	13,500	2.9	19,500	4.2	-6,000	-1.3	12,300	2.6
Danbury	2,600	2.4	3,700	3.5	-1,100	-1.1	2,300	2.2
Danielson-Northeast*	1,200	2.7	1,600	3.7	-400	-1.0	1,000	2.4
Worcester NECTA	1,100	2.7	1,500	3.8	-400	-1.1	1,000	2.4
Hampton	0	2.1	100	2.8	-100	-0.7	0	1.7
Enfield	1,300	2.6	1,700	3.5	-400	-0.9	1,100	2.3
Hartford	16,800	2.7	23,800	3.8	-7,000	-1.1	15,300	2.4
New Haven	8,800	2.6	12,400	3.7	-3,600	-1.1	8,000	2.4
Norwich-New London	3,900	2.8	5,100	3.6	-1,200	-0.8	3,400	2.5
Torrington-Northwest**	1,100	2.4	1,600	3.4	-500	-1.0	1,000	2.0
Torrington NECTA	700	2.7	1,000	4.0	-300	-1.3	600	2.4
Litchfield	400	1.9	600	2.7	-200	-0.8	300	1.5
Waterbury	3,700	3.4	5,200	4.7	-1,500	-1.3	3,400	3.1

CONNECTICUT	52,300	2.7	74,100	3.9	-21,800	-1.2	47,300	2.5
UNITED STATES	6,708,000	4.0	5,827,000	3.5	881,000	0.5	6,631,000	3.9

P = Preliminary	R = Revised

Note: Six major Connecticut LMAs are estimated independently from the statewide data by the BLS and cover more than 90% of the nonfarm employment in the state. Thus, estimates will not fully sum to the statewide total.

Hours and Earnings: The November 2024 Private Sector average workweek, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.6 hours (AWH). This is up one-tenth of an hour from the November 2023 average of 33.5 hours (0.3%). Average hourly earnings (AHE) at $38.32 in November 2024, not seasonally adjusted, were up by $1.70 (4.6%) from the November 2023 estimate of $36.62. The resulting November 2024 private sector average weekly earnings (AWE) were estimated at $1,287.55, higher by $60.78 (5.0%) from a year ago ($1,226.77).

	AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS				AVG WEEKLY HOURS				AVG HOURLY EARNINGS
	Nov		CHG	Oct	Nov		CHG	Oct	Nov		CHG	Oct
(Not seasonally adjusted)	2024	2023	Y/Y	2024	2024	2023	Y/Y	2024	2024	2023	Y/Y	2024
PRODUCTION WORKER
MANUFACTURING	$1,228.92	$1,173.55	$55.38	$1,237.16	39.2	39.5	-0.3	39.3	$31.35	$29.71	$1.64	$31.48
DURABLE GOODS	1,305.23	1,248.60	56.64	1,311.05	38.8	39.5	-0.7	38.8	33.64	31.61	2.03	33.79
NON-DUR. GOODS	1,005.62	955.94	49.67	1,021.98	40.5	39.6	0.9	40.7	24.83	24.14	0.69	25.11
CONSTRUCTION	1,549.24	1,565.50	-16.27	1,598.72	38.3	40.4	-2.1	39.7	40.45	38.75	1.70	40.27

ALL EMPLOYEES
STATEWIDE
TOTAL PRIVATE	1,287.55	1,226.77	60.78	1,295.43	33.6	33.5	0.1	33.7	38.32	36.62	1.70	38.44
GOODS PRODUCING	1,541.72	1,505.60	36.12	1,578.84	39.4	40.0	-0.6	39.9	39.13	37.64	1.49	39.57
Construction	1,571.56	1,570.04	1.52	1,612.77	37.1	39.3	-2.2	38.1	42.36	39.95	2.41	42.33
Manufacturing	1,504.28	1,472.77	31.51	1,518.00	40.2	39.4	0.8	40.0	37.42	37.38	0.04	37.95
SERVICE PROVIDING	1,243.69	1,175.72	67.97	1,245.32	32.6	32.3	0.3	32.6	38.15	36.40	1.75	38.20
Trade, Transp., Utilities	986.19	928.72	57.47	998.87	31.7	31.6	0.1	31.7	31.11	29.39	1.72	31.51
Financial Activities	2,116.93	2,176.79	-59.86	2,106.25	37.1	38.5	-1.4	36.9	57.06	56.54	0.52	57.08
Prof. & Business Serv.	1,632.73	1,515.83	116.90	1,629.72	35.9	35.4	0.5	36.0	45.48	42.82	2.66	45.27
Education & Health Ser.	1,168.61	1,131.00	37.61	1,145.81	32.9	32.5	0.4	32.7	35.52	34.80	0.72	35.04
Leisure & Hospitality	629.91	595.86	34.05	621.46	26.5	26.1	0.4	26.4	23.77	22.83	0.94	23.54
Other Services	849.30	898.06	-48.76	868.16	28.5	29.6	-1.1	29.3	29.80	30.34	-0.54	29.63

LABOR MARKET AREAS: TOTAL PRIVATE
Bridgeport-Stamford	1,314.72	1,279.20	35.52	1,307.91	33.0	32.8	0.2	32.6	39.84	39.00	0.84	40.12
Danbury	1,164.50	1,201.48	-36.98	1,167.81	33.3	35.4	-2.1	33.5	34.97	33.94	1.03	34.86
Hartford	1,330.92	1,283.79	47.13	1,330.84	34.1	33.9	0.2	34.3	39.03	37.87	1.16	38.80
New Haven	1,221.58	1,151.51	70.07	1,242.15	32.9	33.3	-0.4	33.4	37.13	34.58	2.55	37.19
Norwich-New London	1,116.12	1,024.96	91.16	1,140.19	32.1	32.0	0.1	32.1	34.77	32.03	2.74	35.52
Waterbury	1,080.03	935.02	145.01	1,081.95	35.1	32.9	2.2	34.7	30.77	28.42	2.35	31.18

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 October, the same increase as in each of the previous 3 months, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.6 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.4 percent in October, accounting for over half of the monthly all items increase. The food index also increased over the month, rising 0.2 percent as the food at home index increased 0.1 percent and the food away from home index rose 0.2 percent. The energy index was unchanged over the month, after declining 1.9 percent in September.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in October, as it did in August and September. Indexes that increased in October include shelter, used cars and trucks, airline fares, medical care, and recreation. The indexes for apparel, communication, and household furnishings and operations were among those that decreased over the month.

The all items index rose 2.6 percent for the 12 months ending October, after rising 2.4 percent over the 12 months ending September. The all items less food and energy index rose 3.3 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index decreased 4.9 percent for the 12 months ending October. The food index increased 2.1 percent over the last year.

State of Connecticut Unemployment Rate vs. United States Unemployment Rate

The preliminary November 2024 unemployment rate was estimated by the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program (LAUS) to be 3.0% (seasonally adjusted). This is unchanged from October 2024, yet the unemployment rate is down one and two-tenths percent compared to the November 2023 level of 4.2%. The state jobless rate has declined 1.5 percentage points since March 2024. The U.S. unemployment rate for November 2024 was 4.2%, up one-tenth of one percent from the October 2024 rate but higher over the year from 3.7% in November 2023. The CT jobless rate in November 2024 is one and two-tenths of a percentage point lower than the U.S. unemployment rate.

Month	2015			2016			2017			2018			2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			2024
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.		CT	U.S.
Jan	6.0	5.7	-0.3	5.2	4.8	-0.4	4.6	4.7	0.1	4.2	4.0	-0.2	3.7	4.0	0.3	3.8	3.6	-0.2	7.1	6.4	-0.7	4.9	4.0	-0.9	3.6	3.4	-0.2	4.4	3.7	-0.7
Feb	5.9	5.5	-0.4	5.2	4.9	-0.3	4.5	4.6	0.1	4.1	4.1	0.0	3.6	3.8	0.2	3.8	3.5	-0.3	7.1	6.2	-0.9	4.6	3.8	-0.8	3.5	3.6	0.1	4.5	3.9	-0.6
Mar	5.8	5.4	-0.4	5.1	5.0	-0.1	4.5	4.4	-0.1	4.1	4.0	-0.1	3.6	3.8	0.2	3.9	4.4	0.5	7.0	6.1	-0.9	4.4	3.6	-0.8	3.4	3.5	0.1	4.5	3.8	-0.7
Apr	5.8	5.4	-0.4	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	14.9	6.6	7.1	6.1	-1.0	4.3	3.7	-0.6	3.3	3.4	0.1	4.4	3.9	-0.5
May	5.7	5.6	-0.1	4.9	4.8	-0.1	4.4	4.4	0.0	3.9	3.8	-0.1	3.5	3.6	0.1	11.8	13.3	1.5	6.9	5.8	-1.1	4.1	3.6	-0.5	3.3	3.7	0.4	4.3	4.0	-0.3
Jun	5.6	5.3	-0.3	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	6.8	5.9	-0.9	4.0	3.6	-0.4	3.4	3.6	0.2	3.9	4.1	0.2
Jul	5.6	5.2	-0.4	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	6.5	5.4	-1.1	3.9	3.5	-0.4	3.6	3.5	-0.1	3.6	4.3	0.7
Aug	5.5	5.1	-0.4	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	6.2	5.1	-1.1	3.8	3.6	-0.2	3.8	3.8	0.0	3.4	4.2	0.8
Sep	5.4	5.0	-0.4	4.7	5.0	0.3	4.4	4.3	-0.1	3.7	3.7	0.0	3.6	3.5	-0.1	8.8	7.8	-1.0	5.9	4.7	-1.2	3.8	3.5	-0.3	4.0	3.8	-0.2	3.2	4.1	0.9
Oct	5.4	5.0	-0.4	4.7	4.9	0.2	4.3	4.2	-0.1	3.7	3.8	0.1	3.6	3.6	0.0	7.9	6.8	-1.1	5.6	4.5	-1.1	3.8	3.6	-0.2	4.2	3.8	-0.4	3.0	4.1	1.1
Nov	5.4	5.1	-0.3	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	4.1	-1.2	3.8	3.6	-0.2	4.2	3.7	-0.5	3.0	4.2	1.2
Dec	5.3	5.0	-0.3	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	5.1	3.9	-1.2	3.7	3.5	-0.2	4.2	3.7	-0.5

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. Overall, as the national and state economies recover, volatility in monthly numbers can be expected. 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 2024 were a still low 2,621. This is 604 (29.9%) claims higher than October 2024 (2,017) but lower by 264 claims (-9.2%) than the November 2023 (2,885) level. Claims naturally rise as winter months approach.

Month	2018			2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			2024
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.	Labor Force	Resident Emp.	Resident Unemp.
Jan	1,908.3	1,828.3	80.0	1,927.3	1,856.5	70.8	1,936.8	1,863.4	73.4	1,805.1	1,676.0	129.0	1,942.9	1,848.6	94.4	1,886.3	1,818.6	67.7	1,902.4	1,819.5	82.9
Feb	1,910.7	1,831.8	78.9	1,926.6	1,856.8	69.8	1,931.1	1,856.8	74.3	1,801.7	1,673.9	127.8	1,938.6	1,849.5	89.2	1,886.4	1,820.5	65.8	1,906.4	1,820.3	86.1
Mar	1,914.5	1,836.7	77.7	1,925.8	1,857.2	68.6	1,924.5	1,849.6	74.9	1,800.0	1,673.3	126.8	1,933.8	1,849.1	84.7	1,887.1	1,822.9	64.2	1,910.5	1,825.0	85.4
Apr	1,918.6	1,842.2	76.5	1,925.7	1,858.0	67.7	1,828.7	1,676.7	151.9	1,801.0	1,673.6	127.4	1,929.3	1,847.1	82.3	1,888.3	1,825.0	63.2	1,911.1	1,827.6	83.4
May	1,922.2	1,846.9	75.3	1,926.7	1,859.5	67.2	1,901.8	1,676.9	224.9	1,798.9	1,674.8	124.1	1,923.0	1,843.2	79.8	1,889.8	1,826.6	63.2	1,914.5	1,832.7	81.8
Jun	1,924.9	1,850.7	74.2	1,928.9	1,861.6	67.3	1,893.1	1,675.9	217.3	1,821.1	1,696.8	124.3	1,914.8	1,837.8	77.1	1,892.0	1,827.5	64.5	1,913.4	1,838.8	74.6
Jul	1,926.8	1,853.6	73.2	1,931.7	1,863.6	68.1	1,901.5	1,679.8	221.6	1,837.5	1,717.7	119.9	1,905.6	1,831.3	74.3	1,894.5	1,827.1	67.4	1,907.8	1,838.5	69.3
Aug	1,928.5	1,856.0	72.5	1,934.6	1,865.5	69.1	1,859.8	1,681.9	178.0	1,854.9	1,739.0	115.9	1,896.6	1,825.4	71.2	1,896.8	1,825.1	71.6	1,902.5	1,837.0	65.5
Sep	1,930.0	1,857.9	72.1	1,937.4	1,867.5	69.9	1,848.0	1,685.1	162.9	1,870.3	1,759.9	110.4	1,892.9	1,820.9	71.9	1,898.6	1,822.5	76.1	1,900.5	1,839.1	61.4
Oct	1,931.4	1,859.4	72.0	1,939.7	1,869.0	70.6	1,828.0	1,684.2	143.8	1,888.5	1,782.0	106.5	1,890.1	1,818.1	71.9	1,899.6	1,820.1	79.6	1,901.4	1,843.7	57.7
Nov	1,932.6	1,860.8	71.9	1,941.0	1,869.5	71.5	1,819.1	1,682.3	136.8	1,905.5	1,804.1	101.4	1,888.1	1,817.0	71.1	1,899.5	1,819.2	80.3	1,903.0	1,846.1	56.9
Dec	1,933.4	1,861.9	71.5	1,940.2	1,867.8	72.5	1,813.4	1,679.3	134.1	1,924.3	1,826.4	97.9	1,886.9	1,817.3	69.6	1,899.1	1,819.3	79.9


	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. Overall, as the national and state economies recover, volatility in monthly numbers can be expected. 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: Monday, January 27, 2025 (December 2024, preliminary data)

State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109