Connecticut and U.S. unemployment rates since 2001 Connecticut Department of Labor

Connecticut’s jobless rate remained fixed at 6.3 percent in January despite the addition of 6,400 jobs, the state Labor Department reported Monday.

The unemployment rate now has remained largely steady since September as a growing number of persons seeking employment has offset job gains over the last four months.

“Connecticut’s job growth picture and unemployment levels remain largely unchanged,” said Andy Condon, director of the department’s Office of Research.

Connecticut has added 24,600 jobs over the past 12 months and has recovered 90,500 or 76.1 percent of the 119,000 jobs lost during the last recession.

Six of the state’s 10 major industry super-sectors gained positions during the first month of 2015, led by education and health services, which added 2,800 jobs.

Other super-sectors that posted gains included: leisure and hospitality; professional and business services; financial activities; construction and mining; and government.

Trade, transportation and utilities led declining super-sectors with 3,000 jobs lost in January. Other super-sectors on the decline were: manufacturing; information; and other services.

Connecticut and U.S. unemployment rates since 2001
Connecticut and U.S. unemployment rates since 2001 Connecticut Department of Labor

Keith has spent most of his 31 years as a reporter specializing in state government finances, analyzing such topics as income tax equity, waste in government and the complex funding systems behind Connecticut’s transportation and social services networks. He has been the state finances reporter at CT Mirror since it launched in 2010. Prior to joining CT Mirror Keith was State Capitol bureau chief for The Journal Inquirer of Manchester, a reporter for the Day of New London, and a former contributing writer to The New York Times. Keith is a graduate of and a former journalism instructor at the University of Connecticut.

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