Connecticut Department of Labor's Office of Research

Labor Market Information - State of Connecticut Labor Situation

State of Connecticut Labor Situation

Last Updated: May 16, 2019

	Nonfarm jobs increase by 300 in April; unemployment rate drops to 3.8%
	WETHERSFIELD, May 16, 2019 - Preliminary Connecticut nonfarm job estimates from the business payroll survey administered by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show the state gained 300 net jobs (0.02%) in April 2019, to a level of 1,695,300 seasonally adjusted. Over the year, nonagricultural employment in the state grew by 11,600 jobs (0.7%). The March 2019 originally-released job loss of 1,300 was revised up by 1,600 to a gain of 300. The number of the state's unemployed residents was estimated at 72,500, seasonally adjusted, down 1,600 from March. As a result, Connecticut's March unemployment rate is at 3.8%, seasonally adjusted, down one-tenth from the revised March level. Resident employment estimates include the self-employed and residents working out of state and are determined separately from the nonfarm payroll job estimates above. None of the movements in payroll job estimates or residential employment are considered statistically significant. "With the small increase in April and the larger positive revision of March data, the 2019 job growth picture has changed from one of slight declines to slight growth," said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. "Annual job growth is actually stronger than last year at this time, as the first four months of 2018 were very weak."

Nonfarm Jobs Detail (business establishment survey)

Private Sector employment grew by 500 (0.03%) to 1,458,700 jobs over the month in April, and remains up 10,800 (0.7%) seasonally-adjusted jobs over April 2018. The Government supersector was down slightly in April (-200, -0.1%) to a total of 236,600, but is now up 800 jobs (0.3%) over the year. The Government supersector includes all federal, state and local employment, including public higher education and Native American casino employment located on tribal land.

Five of the ten major industry supersectors gained employment in April, while four declined and the Information supersector remained unchanged. Professional and Business Services led gainers with an increase of 1,600 jobs (0.7%, 218,700 total jobs). The Trade, Transportation & Utilities (0.2%, 295,600) was next with a gain of 700 jobs despite continued losses in the retail component. The Educational and Health Services (0.2%, 338,200) supersector picked up 600 jobs while Leisure and Hospitality grew by 400 (0.2%, 160,700). Finally, the Other Services supersector added 100 positions (0.2%, 64,400).

Once again, the Construction and Mining supersector led declines, dropping 2,300 jobs (-3.7%, 60,500). The cold wet spring may be a factor, delaying the start of the traditional construction season. Manufacturing was next, losing 500 positions (-0.3%, 160,800). Lastly, Financial Activities saw a small decline of 100 jobs (-0.1%, 127,000).

Labor Market Information - Connecticut, Employment Sectors & United States Nonfarm Employment

		Year to Year				Month to Month				Previous Three Months
		Apr 2019	Apr 2018	Change	Rate %	Apr 2019	Mar 2019	Change	Rate %	Feb 2019	Jan 2019	Dec 2018
Graph	Follow link below for more charts & data	State of Connecticut Employment
	Connecticut Nonfarm Employment	1,695,300	1,683,700	11,600	0.7%	1,695,300	1,695,000	300	0.0%	1,694,700	1,694,300	1,696,800
	Private Sector	1,458,700	1,447,900	10,800	0.7%	1,458,700	1,458,200	500	0.0%	1,457,600	1,457,400	1,459,800

Graph	Follow link below for more charts & data	Goods Producing Industries
	Construction	60,000	58,100	1,900	3.3%	60,000	62,300	-2,300	-3.7%	61,600	62,100	61,400

	Manufacturing	160,800	160,100	700	0.4%	160,800	161,300	-500	-0.3%	161,500	160,800	160,400
Graph	Follow link below for more charts & data	Service Providing Industries
	Trade, Transportation and Utilities	295,600	294,900	700	0.2%	295,600	294,900	700	0.2%	294,100	295,100	296,100

	Information	32,800	31,800	1,000	3.1%	32,800	32,800	0	0.0%	32,900	32,900	32,700

	Financial Activities	127,000	125,800	1,200	1.0%	127,000	127,100	-100	-0.1%	126,700	126,500	127,000

	Professional and Business Services	218,700	219,700	-1,000	-0.5%	218,700	217,100	1,600	0.7%	217,800	216,800	219,500

	Educational and Health Services	338,200	334,600	3,600	1.1%	338,200	337,600	600	0.2%	337,100	336,800	336,900

	Leisure and Hospitality	160,700	156,500	4,200	2.7%	160,700	160,300	400	0.2%	161,200	161,400	160,500

	Other Services	64,400	65,900	-1,500	-2.3%	64,400	64,300	100	0.2%	64,200	64,400	64,800

	Government	236,600	235,800	800	0.3%	236,600	236,800	-200	-0.1%	237,100	236,900	237,000
Graph	Follow link below for more charts & data	United States Employment
	United States Nonfarm Employment	151,095,000	148,475,000	2,620,000	1.8%	151,095,000	150,832,000	263,000	0.2%	150,643,000	150,587,000	150,275,000

Connecticut has now recovered 81.9% (98,500 jobs) of the 120,300 seasonally adjusted jobs lost in the "Great Recession" (3/08-1/10). The job recovery is into its 111th month and the state needs an additional 21,800 net new jobs to reach an overall nonfarm employment expansion. The state's Private Sector fully recovered at 101.2% (113,300) of the 112,000 private sector jobs lost in that same employment downturn.

Connecticut's Recessionary Job Loss and Recovery March 2008 - April 2019

Connecticut's Recessionary Job Loss and Recovery March 2008 - April 2019

March
2008 January
2010 April
2019 Jobs Lost Recovered

Jobs Percent

CT Nonfarm Employment 1,717.1 1,596.8 1,695.3 -120.3 98.5 81.9%

Total Private Sector 1,457.4 1,345.4 1,458.7 -112.0 113.3 101.2%

* March 2008 was employment peak. January 2010 was employment trough. Last Updated: May 16, 2019

Connecticut Labor Market Areas (LMAs): Only one of the six LMAs seasonally adjusted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics saw job increases in April 2019 and five saw declines. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk LMA saw an increase of 300 jobs (0.1%, 410,300). The Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford LMA (-0.1%, 581,300) and New Haven LMA (-0.3%, 286,600) LMAs each saw declines of 800. The Norwich-New London-Westerly LMA (-0.5%, 129,700) dropped 500 net jobs while the Danbury LMA (-0.1%, 77,600) and the Waterbury LMA (-0.1%, 69,300) each posted each posted small losses of 100.

	April	March	February	January	April	Over Month		Over Year
Seasonally Adjusted data	2019 P	2019 R	2019	2019	2018	Change	Rate	Change	Rate
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk	410,300	410,000	409,700	409,900	407,700	300	0.1%	2,600	0.6%
Danbury	77,600	77,700	77,600	77,800	77,300	-100	-0.1%	300	0.4%
Hartford	581,300	582,100	582,100	583,900	578,700	-800	-0.1%	2,600	0.4%
New Haven	286,600	287,400	288,200	287,700	284,900	-800	-0.3%	1,700	0.6%
Norwich-New London-Westerly, RI	129,700	130,200	129,700	129,600	129,500	-500	-0.4%	200	0.2%
Waterbury	69,300	69,400	69,300	69,200	68,600	-100	-0.1%	700	1.0%
Not Seasonally Adjusted data (Non
Enfield	45,400	44,600	44,400	44,700	45,200	800	1.8%	200	0.4%
Torrington-Northwest	32,700	32,200	32,100	32,100	32,200	500	1.6%	500	1.6%
Danielson-Northeast	26,900	26,500	26,400	26,300	26,600	400	1.5%	300	1.1%

* Less than					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 Private Sector not seasonally adjusted, averaged 34.0 hours in April 2019, down by one-tenth of an hour from the same month a year ago. Average hourly earnings at $32.76, not seasonally adjusted, were up $0.70 (2.2%) from the April 2018 estimate ($32.06). The resultant average Private Sector weekly pay amounted to $1,113.84, up $20.59 from a year ago (1.9%).

	AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS				AVG WEEKLY HOURS				AVG HOURLY EARNINGS
	Apr		CHG	Mar	Apr		CHG	Mar	Apr		CHG	Mar
(Not seasonally adjusted)	2019	2018	Y/Y	2019	2019	2018	Y/Y	2019	2019	2018	Y/Y	2019
PRODUCTION WORKER
MANUFACTURING	$1,185.94	$1,060.95	$124.99	$1,146.75	43.0	40.9	2.1	41.7	$27.58	$25.94	$1.64	$27.50
DURABLE GOODS	1,300.73	1,152.06	148.67	1,265.06	42.3	42.2	0.1	41.6	30.75	27.30	3.45	30.41
NON-DUR. GOODS	814.49	769.20	45.30	778.59	45.3	36.3	9.0	42.2	17.98	21.19	-3.21	18.45
CONSTRUCTION	1,156.63	1,121.16	35.47	1,140.24	38.8	37.1	1.7	38.6	29.81	30.22	-0.41	29.54

ALL EMPLOYEES
STATEWIDE
TOTAL PRIVATE	1,113.84	1,093.25	20.59	1,106.78	34.0	34.1	-0.1	33.6	32.76	32.06	0.70	32.94
GOODS PRODUCING	1,425.10	1,343.60	81.50	1,393.79	39.4	40.0	-0.6	38.9	36.17	33.59	2.58	35.83
Construction	1,277.18	1,130.26	146.92	1,252.86	38.0	37.6	0.4	38.0	33.61	30.06	3.55	32.97
Manufacturing	1,490.02	1,417.19	72.83	1,449.20	40.8	40.9	-0.1	40.0	36.52	34.65	1.87	36.23
SERVICE PROVIDING	1,056.99	1,050.26	6.73	1,056.86	33.0	33.1	-0.1	32.7	32.03	31.73	0.30	32.32
Trade, Transp., Utilities	909.48	860.31	49.17	891.42	33.4	33.0	0.4	33.2	27.23	26.07	1.16	26.85
Financial Activities	1,738.06	1,884.77	-146.70	1,737.04	36.8	37.9	-1.1	36.5	47.23	49.73	-2.50	47.59
Prof. & Business Serv.	1,247.12	1,264.43	-17.31	1,242.86	34.7	34.9	-0.2	33.6	35.94	36.23	-0.29	36.99
Education & Health Ser.	982.29	938.60	43.69	975.79	33.4	32.5	0.9	33.1	29.41	28.88	0.53	29.48
Leisure & Hospitality	463.24	476.03	-12.79	467.29	25.3	26.3	-1.0	25.3	18.31	18.10	0.21	18.47
Other Services	761.36	813.31	-51.95	794.12	31.0	32.3	-1.3	31.5	24.56	25.18	-0.62	25.21

LABOR MARKET AREAS: TOTAL PRIVATE
Bridgeport-Stamford	1,209.53	1,186.58	22.95	1,189.27	34.1	33.7	0.4	33.7	35.47	35.21	0.26	35.29
Danbury	1,106.28	982.35	123.93	1,060.03	36.0	34.3	1.7	35.5	30.73	28.64	2.09	29.86
Hartford	1,160.93	1,141.93	19.00	1,167.92	34.8	34.9	-0.1	34.3	33.36	32.72	0.64	34.05
New Haven	1,065.28	1,023.43	41.86	1,075.31	34.1	33.5	0.6	34.3	31.24	30.55	0.69	31.35
Norwich-New London	825.60	900.73	-75.13	803.88	30.0	32.1	-2.1	29.5	27.52	28.06	-0.54	27.25
Waterbury	1,000.98	883.68	117.30	936.05	33.5	34.6	-1.1	34.2	29.88	25.54	4.34	27.37

Information for the manufacturing production workweek and earnings can be found in the table section of this release under the "Hours and Earnings" data category. Current all-employee private sector hours and earnings estimates can be volatile due to fluctuating sample responses.

Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in April on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.4 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.0 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index continued to increase, rising 5.7 percent and accounting for over two-thirds of the seasonally adjusted all items monthly increase. The index for energy rose 2.9 percent, although the index for natural gas declined and the index for electricity was unchanged. The food index fell in April, its first monthly decline since June 2017.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent for the third consecutive month. The indexes for shelter, medical care, education, and new vehicles all rose in April. The indexes for used cars and trucks, apparel, and household furnishings and operations were among those that declined over the month.

The all items index increased 2.0 percent for the 12 months ending April, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending November 2018. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.1 percent over the last 12 months, and the food index rose 1.8 percent. The energy index increased 1.7 percent over the past year after posting 12-month declines the past 4 months.

State of Connecticut Unemployment Rate vs. United States Unemployment Rate

The April 2019 unemployment rate unemployment rate for Connecticut is estimated at 3.8% (seasonally adjusted), down one tenth from the revised March 2019 figure and down five-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago when it was 4.3%. The US jobless rate in April 2019 was 3.6%, down three-tenths of a point from April 2018.

Month	2012			2013			2014			2015			2016			2017			2018			2019
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.
Jan	8.2	8.3	0.1	8.2	8.0	-0.2	7.2	6.6	-0.6	6.1	5.7	-0.4	5.5	4.9	-0.6	4.9	4.7	-0.2	4.5	4.1	-0.4	3.8	4.0	0.2
Feb	8.2	8.3	0.1	8.1	7.7	-0.4	7.0	6.7	-0.3	6.0	5.5	-0.5	5.5	4.9	-0.6	4.9	4.7	-0.2	4.5	4.1	-0.4	3.8	3.8	0.0
Mar	8.3	8.2	-0.1	8.1	7.5	-0.6	6.9	6.7	-0.2	5.9	5.4	-0.5	5.4	5.0	-0.4	4.9	4.4	-0.5	4.4	4.0	-0.4	3.9	3.8	-0.1
Apr	8.3	8.2	-0.1	8.0	7.6	-0.4	6.8	6.2	-0.6	5.8	5.4	-0.4	5.3	5.0	-0.3	4.8	4.4	-0.4	4.3	3.9	-0.4	3.8	3.6	-0.2
May	8.4	8.2	-0.2	7.9	7.5	-0.4	6.7	6.3	-0.4	5.7	5.6	-0.1	5.3	4.8	-0.5	4.7	4.4	-0.3	4.2	3.8	-0.4
Jun	8.5	8.2	-0.3	7.9	7.5	-0.4	6.6	6.1	-0.5	5.7	5.3	-0.4	5.2	4.9	-0.3	4.7	4.3	-0.4	4.1	4.0	-0.1
Jul	8.5	8.2	-0.3	7.8	7.3	-0.5	6.5	6.2	-0.3	5.6	5.2	-0.4	5.1	4.8	-0.3	4.6	4.3	-0.3	4.0	3.9	-0.1
Aug	8.5	8.1	-0.4	7.8	7.2	-0.6	6.5	6.1	-0.4	5.6	5.1	-0.5	5.0	4.9	-0.1	4.5	4.4	-0.1	4.0	3.8	-0.2
Sep	8.4	7.8	-0.6	7.7	7.2	-0.5	6.4	5.9	-0.5	5.6	5.0	-0.6	5.0	5.0	0.0	4.5	4.2	-0.3	3.9	3.7	-0.2
Oct	8.4	7.8	-0.6	7.5	7.2	-0.3	6.3	5.7	-0.6	5.6	5.0	-0.6	4.9	4.9	0.0	4.5	4.1	-0.4	3.8	3.8	0.0
Nov	8.3	7.7	-0.6	7.4	6.9	-0.5	6.3	5.8	-0.5	5.6	5.1	-0.5	4.9	4.7	-0.2	4.5	4.2	-0.3	3.8	3.7	-0.1
Dec	8.2	7.9	-0.3	7.3	6.7	-0.6	6.2	5.6	-0.6	5.6	5.0	-0.6	4.9	4.7	-0.2	4.5	4.1	-0.4	3.8	3.9	0.1

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

Based on the Local Area Unemployment Statistics model (LAUS - a statistical model using the CPS - Current Population Survey residential data), the number of Connecticut unemployed residents, seasonally adjusted, was down 1,600 from March at 74,100. Over the year, the number of the state's jobless residents declined by 9,300 (-11.3%). The state's labor force was down an estimated 5,400 over the month at 1,915,500, but is higher over the year by 22,700 (1.2%). This annual growth margin in the state's labor force has been shrinking in recent months.

April 2019 seasonally adjusted average weekly initial unemployment claims for first-time filers in Connecticut was 4,319 - up from March by 1,491 claims and higher by 808 claims (23%) from the April 2018 level of 3,511. Note that this month's claims include those impacted by the Stop & Shop strike.

Month	2013			2014			2015			2016			2017			2018			2019
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	1,866.1	1,713.9	152.2	1,870.1	1,736.2	134.0	1,902.8	1,786.9	115.9	1,881.6	1,778.2	103.3	1,903.2	1,811.1	92.1	1,888.1	1,802.0	86.1	1,923.6	1,849.7	73.9
Feb	1,862.4	1,711.4	151.0	1,873.3	1,741.5	131.8	1,901.8	1,787.7	114.1	1,882.8	1,780.4	102.4	1,904.3	1,812.3	92.1	1,888.7	1,803.8	84.9	1,923.6	1,849.7	73.9
Mar	1,860.3	1,710.4	149.9	1,876.5	1,746.7	129.8	1,899.7	1,787.6	112.1	1,884.4	1,783.1	101.3	1,904.3	1,812.4	91.9	1,890.3	1,806.9	83.4	1,920.9	1,846.8	74.1
Apr	1,860.3	1,711.5	148.9	1,879.5	1,751.6	127.9	1,896.6	1,786.4	110.2	1,886.4	1,786.0	100.4	1,902.9	1,811.6	91.3	1,892.8	1,811.0	81.8	1,915.5	1,843.0	72.5
May	1,861.7	1,713.8	147.9	1,882.4	1,756.3	126.1	1,892.8	1,784.4	108.4	1,888.8	1,789.2	99.6	1,900.6	1,810.2	90.3	1,896.0	1,815.8	80.2
Jun	1,863.4	1,716.5	147.0	1,885.8	1,761.2	124.6	1,888.6	1,781.8	106.8	1,891.4	1,792.7	98.7	1,897.9	1,808.6	89.3	1,900.0	1,821.3	78.6
Jul	1,864.6	1,718.7	146.0	1,889.4	1,766.0	123.4	1,884.7	1,779.1	105.6	1,893.6	1,796.1	97.5	1,895.4	1,807.0	88.5	1,905.3	1,828.2	77.0
Aug	1,865.0	1,720.3	144.6	1,893.2	1,770.7	122.6	1,881.7	1,776.8	105.0	1,895.4	1,799.3	96.1	1,893.3	1,805.4	87.9	1,911.0	1,835.5	75.5
Sep	1,865.0	1,722.2	142.9	1,896.8	1,775.1	121.7	1,879.8	1,775.1	104.7	1,897.0	1,802.3	94.7	1,891.6	1,804.1	87.5	1,916.5	1,842.3	74.2
Oct	1,865.5	1,724.7	140.8	1,899.8	1,779.1	120.7	1,879.2	1,774.5	104.7	1,898.3	1,804.9	93.4	1,890.3	1,802.9	87.4	1,920.7	1,847.4	73.3
Nov	1,867.1	1,728.3	138.8	1,901.8	1,782.5	119.3	1,879.6	1,775.0	104.6	1,899.7	1,807.2	92.5	1,889.2	1,801.9	87.3	1,921.2	1,848.0	73.2
Dec	1,869.7	1,733.0	136.7	1,902.8	1,785.1	117.7	1,880.5	1,776.3	104.1	1,901.5	1,809.3	92.1	1,888.4	1,801.5	86.9	1,920.7	1,847.3	73.4


	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: Thursday, June 20, 2019 (May 2019 data)


	State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109 / Phone: 860-263-6275 LMI Home \| CTDOL Home \| CT.gov \| Feedback \| Disclaimer \| Privacy Policy \| Accessibility Policy This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. (more)