Connecticut Adds 300 Jobs in November, Unemployment Remains at 23-Year Low

By Garnet McLaughlin

December 25 @ 5:00 am

The state Department of Labor announced that Connecticut added 300 jobs in November as unemployment remained at 3% – the lowest since 2001. The industries that saw the greatest increase in jobs were: Education and Health Services, Financial Activities, Construction and Mining and Trade, Transportation and Utilities.

The private sector added 800 jobs in November, however overall job growth was impacted by shrinking state government jobs, which saw a decline for its fifth consecutive month, according to the agency.

Last week, Sen. Julie Kushner, a Danbury Democrat who co-chairs the legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee, said the labor statistics reflected a growing economy.

“Unemployment is low and we are investing in workforce development to upskill Connecticut residents and fill vacancies in essential trades jobs,” Kushner said. “The fact is – when you invest in Connecticut workers, you invest in Connecticut’s economy. I am eager to get back into session in January to keep building upon this momentum.”

The Department of Labor highlighted the following takeaways from their report:

-Connecticut employers have added 13,500 jobs so far in 2024.

-There were 1,709,300 payroll jobs in the state.

-The manufacturing sector has done considerable hiring, however it has remained flat overall due to the high number of retirements.

-Connecticut’s Labor Force Participation Rate is 64.1%, unchanged from last month. The national rate is 62.5%.

The Finance Activities sector is growing in Connecticut and has added up 2,100 jobs so far in 2024.

-Unemployment claims remain below 25,000, quite low by historical standards.

With December numbers still outstanding, Connecticut has enjoyed 13,500 jobs added so far this year, a higher labor force participation rate than the national rate and 73,000 open jobs.

In related labor news, this month the CT Paid Leave program announced that by year end they will have paid $1 billion in benefits to Connecticut workers for more than 190,000 approved claims. CT Paid Leave allows Connecticut workers to receive benefits while stepping away from work due to an illness, caregiving, pregnancy/childbirth or bonding with a new child.