Work aplenty in Utah; Jobless rate ticks down

Unemployment in Utah continues to be among the nation’s best — and it went down again in January. The state’s jobless rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point in January from December to 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point from December to 4 percent.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for January grew by an estimated 3.2 percent, adding 47,600 jobs to the economy since January 2018. Utah currently has 1,526,600 residents holding jobs.

The 3.1 percent unemployment translates to approximately 49,400 Utahns being unemployed during January and actively seeking work.

“Our state has started 2019 on solid economic footing, with job growth remaining in line with our long-run average,” said Carrie Mayne, chief economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “Job seekers are also faring well, with unemployment holding at a low level.”

Utah’s private-sector employment grew by 3.5 percent year-over with the addition of 43,600 positions. All 10 of the private-sector industry groups measured in the survey posted net job increases in January. The largest private-sector employment increases were in leisure and hospitality (11,300 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities (9,100 jobs); and education and health services (5,600 jobs). The fastest employment growth occurred in the information sector (9.7 percent), leisure and hospitality (7.9 percent) and natural resources (5.5 percent).{/mprestriction}