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BALTIMORE, MD (9/18/09) – Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary
Thomas E. Perez announced Maryland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held
steady at 7.2 percent in August, for the fourth month in a row. The national
rate increased by three tenths of a percentage point to 9.7 percent for August,
two and a half percentage points above that of Maryland.
Maryland is experiencing the second lowest unemployment rate in the 10 states
which comprise the South East region. “The stabilizing of Maryland’s unemployment
rate is a positive sign, and while low compared to the national and regional rates,
we continue to work to decrease the rate by helping Marylander’s rejoin the
workforce,” Secretary Perez said.
While jobseekers have continued to encounter a tight labor market and the
number of unemployed, currently at 213,574, is considerably above last year’s
level of 135,825, the job market status of Maryland residents has stabilized
somewhat over the past few months. Recent changes in Maryland’s labor force
indicators are muted compared to those experienced throughout 2008 and into
the early months of 2009; a possible indication that economic conditions are improving.
Following a revised seasonally adjusted gain of 6,800 jobs in July, Maryland’s
business payrolls dropped back by an estimated 12,000 jobs in August. Business
payroll activity has yet to attain consistency and while overall activity was
down, hiring occurred in select industries. Retail trade, transportation,
administrative and support services and education and health services were
among the industries offering additional opportunities for jobseekers in Maryland.
Employment Situation
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