Jobless report: Unemployment dropping, Utahns finding jobs

Utah jobseekers keep finding employment. The state’s unemployment rate inched down another tenth a of a percentage point in February to 3 percent, according to data released last week by the Utah Department of Workforce Services, meaning approximately 48,300 Utahns were out of work during the month and actively seeking a job. Meanwhile, the national jobless rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point from February to 3.8 percent.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for February grew by an estimated 2.8 percent, adding 42,400 jobs to the economy since February 2018. Utah’s current employment level sits at 1,536,300. 

“Over the past several years, Utah’s economy has enjoyed moderate, sustainable growth,” said Carrie Mayne, chief economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “February’s numbers show a continuation of this trend, with healthy job growth and low unemployment.”

Utah’s private-sector employment grew by 3.1 percent year-over-year with the addition of 38,500 positions. Eight of the 10 private-sector industry groups measured in the establishment survey posted net job increases in February, while other services showed no change and construction lost 300 jobs year-over-year. 

The largest private-sector employment increases were in trade, transportation and utilities (10,400 jobs); leisure and hospitality (8,700 jobs); and education and health services (6,100 jobs). The fastest employment growth occurred in information (7.4 percent), leisure and hospitality (6.0 percent) and natural resources (4.4 percent).{/mprestriction}