An influx of jobseekers into the labor market pushed Maryland’s labor
force over the 3 million mark in April – a first in Maryland’s seasonally adjusted labor force series.
Employment, while also advancing, lagged somewhat behind that of the labor force, causing Maryland’s
seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to inch up slightly from 3.6 percent in March
to 3.7 percent in April according to estimates developed by the Maryland
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Maryland’s unemployment rate, which has changed very little from that of 3.5 percent
reported a year ago, continues to remain well below that of the nation which was reported at 5.0 percent in April.
According to a statement released by the Department’s Secretary, Thomas E. Perez,
“We continue to see the ripple effects of the housing crisis and the
overall economic downturn in our unemployment figures, but it is also
apparent that Maryland’s economic diversity and the federal presence
here have helped to keep our economy growing.”
Employment on Maryland’s business payrolls took a modest step backward in April,
with about 1,900 fewer jobs reported according to the monthly survey of
business establishments. Employment reductions in construction and
professional and business services were the largest. Whether the monthly
declines, in these industries in particular, are an indication that
Maryland’s economy is reacting to the national movements over the past
few months or merely a faltering in the slow but steady growth which has
characterized these sectors bears watching in the months to come.
At the local level, non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates declined in
each jurisdiction with the exception of Cecil County where unemployment
rose slightly from 4.1 percent to 4.2 percent. Unemployment rates were the
most noticeably improved in Allegany, Garrett and Worcester counties where
declines of more than a full percentage point were reported. In Worcester
County, in particular, early seasonal hiring helped to boost
employment by nearly 1,400 persons and to lower the local unemployment
rate from 9.0 percent in March to 7.0 percent in April.
Unemployment rates in Howard, Montgomery, Calvert, Charles, St Mary’s and Frederick
counties were included among the statewide lows, with rates in each of
these local jurisdictions reported below 3 percent.
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