News Release, Maryland Department Of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Unemployment Rate Remains Below the National Average
BALTIMORE (March 22, 2019) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released state jobs and unemployment data. According to the preliminary survey data, total jobs in Maryland decreased by 5,800 from January to February. Maryland’s unemployment rate held at 3.7 percent, and remains below the national unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points.
Compared with this time last year, Maryland jobs are up by 12,900 for an over-the-year increase of 0.5 percent. Further, January’s preliminary jobs estimate as reported by BLS was revised upwards by 1,500 jobs, from a gain of 3,100 to a gain of 4,600 jobs.
“Building a skilled, ready workforce is always our goal. The Maryland Department of Labor delivers on this goal through innovative workforce development programs that benefit both job seekers and employers,” said Acting Labor Secretary James E. Rzepkowski. “Our training, education, and employment services create a network of resources that help overcome employee skills gaps, creating a more employable workforce and helping Maryland businesses fill their talent pipelines.”
Last month, job gains were seen in the Leisure and Hospitality sector, as well as in the Other Services and Professional and Business Services sectors.
Several sectors experienced decline, including Trade, Transportation, and Utilities which decreased by 1,900 jobs across the Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (1,200 jobs), Retail Trade (500 jobs), and Wholesale Trade (200 jobs) subsectors. Other sectors that declined include: Education and Health Services (1,700 jobs); Mining, Logging, and Construction (1,100 jobs); Manufacturing (1,100 jobs); Financial Activities (700 jobs); and Information (200 jobs).