Utah keeps on hiring; jobless rate unchanged

Utah’s jobless rate continues to be among the nation’s lowest, holding steady at 2.8 percent in July, according to figures released by the Department of Workforce Services. The U.S. unemployment rate was also unchanged for the month at 3.7 percent.

The unemployment rate means that about 45,400 Utahns were unemployed and actively seeking work during July.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

For the past year, Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment has grown by an estimated 3.6 percent, adding 54,400 jobs to the economy since July 2018. The number of Utahns currently employed sits 1,558,100.

“Utah’s stellar economic performance continues,” said Mark Knold, senior economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “Job growth remains strong while the unemployment rate is low. Jobs are plentiful and expanding job growth implies employers are resourceful in attaining a sufficient labor supply even in this low unemployment environment.”

Utah’s private-sector employment grew by 4 percent year-over with the addition of 50,900 positions. All 10 of the private-sector industry groups measured in the establishment survey posted net job increases in July. The largest private-sector employment increases were in education and health services (12,300 jobs), professional and business services (11,800 jobs) and manufacturing (6,600 jobs). The fastest employment growth occurred in information (6.4 percent), education and health services (6.3 percent) and construction (6 percent).{/mprestriction}