Unemployment creeps up to 3.4 percent

Utah’s unemployment rate inched up a little in June despite the economy adding 49,200 jobs in the past year. June’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.4 percent. Approximately 53,400 Utahns were unemployed during the month and actively seeking work.

The national unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point from May to June to 4.4 percent.

Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for June grew by an estimated 3.4 percent over the past year, adding 49,200 jobs. Utah’s current employment level sits at 1,477,700.

{mprestriction ids="1,3"}“Utah’s economy remains on solid footing, with nearly 50,000 new jobs added,” said Carrie Mayne, chief economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “While the unemployment rate showed a slight uptick, the expansionary trend in jobs means today’s job seeker will likely become tomorrow’s job holder.”

Eight of the 10 private sector industry groups measured in the establishment survey posted net job increases in June as compared to last year, while the natural resources and mining industry continues its recent job losses, shedding 500 positions. The information industry lost 400 positions. The largest private sector employment increases were in professional and business services (10,700 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities (10,000 jobs); and construction (7,400 jobs).

The fastest employment growth occurred in construction (7.9 percent); professional and business services (5.3 percent); and other services (4.0 percent).{/mprestriction}