Utah job growth leads the nation

Utah continues to lead the nation in total job growth at 3.7 percent in the past 12 months, according to data released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Utah is ranked No. 3 for private sector job growth at 3.9, percent behind Nevada and Washington. 

Utah’s unemployment rate remained steady at 3.1 percent in August with approximately 49,800 Utahns unemployed during the month and actively seeking work. The national unemployment rate also remained unchanged from the prior month at 3.9 percent.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for August grew by an estimated 3.7 percent, adding 54,700 jobs to the economy since August 2017. Utah’s current number of employed residents sits at 1,517,800. 

“Utah’s labor market continues to perform at an optimal level with the addition of almost 55,000 jobs over the last year,” said Carrie Mayne, chief economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “The state’s labor force continues to grow and is quickly absorbed into the employment rolls by Utah’s expanding businesses.”

Utah’s private sector employment grew by 3.9 percent year-over with the addition of 47,600 positions. Nine of the 10 private sector industry groups measured in the survey posted net job increases in August, while natural resources and mining lost 200 jobs year-over-year. The largest private sector employment increases were in trade, transportation and utilities (13,700 jobs); education and health services (7,200 jobs); and leisure and hospitality (7,100 jobs). The fastest employment growth occurred in trade, transportation and utilities (4.9 percent); leisure and hospitality (4.8 percent); and manufacturing (4.4 percent).{/mprestriction}