Maryland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up by two-tenths
of a percentage point, from a revised rate of 3.4 percent in February to 3.6
percent in March -- a rate little changed from that of 3.5 percent
reported last year at this time according to Maryland’s Department of
Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Maryland’s unemployment rate, the 10th lowest in a statewide ranking,
remained well below that of the nation which advanced from 4.8 percent in
February to 5.1 percent in March.
While nationally, consumer confidence has declined sharply and labor market
conditions have noticeably deteriorated with losses of 80, 000 jobs
reported in March , Maryland’s economy has continued to expand, albeit
modestly. We remain cautiously optimistic that the diversity of Maryland’s economy and the activity generated by the
BRAC movement will help to maintain Maryland’s job market.
The number of Maryland-based jobs, as measured through the monthly
establishment survey, grew by 3,600 through March. Performance among the
industries was mixed. In manufacturing, a number of temporary furloughs
lowered employment while, in construction, an industry which has been on
the economic watch list because of its close relationship with the finance
sector, an atypical decline was noted. Rising payroll reports, of note, in the wholesale trade,
professional and business services, education and health services and
accommodation and food services industries more than compensated for these declines.
Locally, the early onset of seasonal hiring helped to lower or maintain
unemployment rates in all but Baltimore County where an influx of jobseekers caused unemployment to advance
slightly. Unemployment in Worcester County was the most noticeably improved, dropping by nearly a full percentage
point. During March, Howard, Calvert and Montgomery counties reported
unemployment lows, with rates in each jurisdiction below 3.0 percent.
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