News Release, Maryland Department of Labor
BALTIMORE (June 21, 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, Maryland’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.8%. Maryland’s total jobs decreased by 1,200 jobs in May.
Compared with this time last year, Maryland jobs are up by 15,000 for an over-the-year increase of 0.5%. In addition, Maryland’s private sector jobs have risen by 11,800 over the year for an increase of 0.5%. Since Governor Hogan took office, employment in Maryland has increased by 118,000 jobs.
“The Maryland Department of Labor has its finger on the pulse of workforce innovation and is focused on finding creative ways to introduce more Marylanders to new career pathways,” said Acting Labor Secretary James E. Rzepkowski. “Exploring new business opportunities such as becoming an apprenticeship sponsor with the Maryland Department of Labor allows employers to identify qualified talent and to expand their future pipeline.”
Last month, the Education and health services sector experienced the most growth with an increase of 600 jobs attributed to the Health care and social assistance subsector (1,000 jobs). (This growth was offset by a decrease of 400 jobs in the Educational services subsector.) Other sectors that experienced growth last month include the Professional and business services sector (400 jobs) and the Financial activities sector (200 jobs). The Manufacturing sector remained the same.
Several sectors experienced a decline, including the Information sector which decreased by 200 jobs. Other services sector decreased by 200 jobs. The Leisure and hospitality sector decreased by 1,000 jobs across the Arts, entertainment, and recreation subsector (200 jobs) and the Accommodation and food services subsector (800 jobs).
April’s preliminary jobs estimate as reported by BLS was revised downwards by 1,200 jobs, from a gain of 1,200 to a report of neither a loss or gain.