Unemployment rate stays steady and low in Utah

Utah’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in June at 3 percent, which translates to approximately 48,400 Utahns being unemployed during the month and actively seeking work.  Meanwhile, the national jobless rate increased two-tenths of a percentage point to 4 percent.

Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment has grown by an estimated 3.3 percent in the past year, adding 47,900 jobs to the economy since June 2017. Utah’s current employment level sits at about 1,591,400. 

{mprestriction ids="1,3"}“The summer season is bringing new jobs to Utah’s economy,” said Carrie Mayne, chief economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “Growth in various industries presents a multitude of career-advancing opportunities for the state’s job- seekers.”

Utah’s private sector employment grew by 3.6 percent year-over-year with the addition of 44,200 positions. Eight of the 10 private sector industry groups measured in the establishment survey posted net job increases in June, while natural resources and mining lost 300 jobs since last year and the information sector decreased lost 500 positions. 

The largest private sector employment increases were in trade, transportation and utilities (12,100 jobs); professional and business services (9,100 jobs); and education and health services (7,200 jobs). 

The fastest employment growth occurred in construction (6.2 percent); trade, transportation and utilities (4.4 percent); and professional and business services (4.4 percent).{/mprestriction}