- Connecticut experiences eighth consecutive month of jobs growth in August, though at a slower pace
- State sees a net gain of 3,300 jobs, down from 11,100 in July
- 69 percent of the jobs lost at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic have been recovered
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
Connecticut’s job growth slowed markedly in August, though the state still recorded its eight consecutive month of net job creation. The unemployment rate fell slightly from 7.3 percent in July to 7.2 percent.
The Connecticut Department of Labor recorded 3,300 new jobs in the state in August, as a gain of 5,500 jobs in the private sector was offset by a loss of 2,200 government positions. July’s figure of 9,400 new jobs was upwardly revised to 11,100.
Danté Bartolomeo, interim commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor, credited the state’s management of COVID-19 for its positive economic trends. Economic growth in the United States has been flagging, with a surge of new COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant being blamed for declining consumer and business activity.
- The leisure and hospitality sector saw the strongest growth in Connecticut in August, adding 1,800 positions and growing 17 percent on an annual basis
- Other significant gains occurred in professional and business services (1,600 new jobs) and manufacturing (1,100 new jobs)
- Connecticut has added 55,800 jobs since August 2020 and recovered 69 percent of the positions lost at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April 2020
- Five of the state’s six Labor Market Areas experienced growth, though jobs declined slightly in the New Haven area
- The average Connecticut employee in August worked 34.4 hours per week and earned $33.88 per hour
