(BALTIMORE, 9/21/10) --- Alexander M. Sanchez, Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, announced
today that Maryland's unemployment rate edged up to 7.3 percent in August from 7.1 percent in July, tracking
the trend seen nationally during the month. Total non-farm payrolls edged downward by approximately 0.2
percent, or 5,700, from July's revised total.
However, the number of payroll jobs in Maryland during August was higher on a preliminary basis than the
year-ago comparable total for the third consecutive month. Maryland has added approximately 33,200 jobs since
January, nearly three times the national growth rate for that period.
Over the past 12 months, Maryland has gained approximately 13,900 jobs, virtually all of them in the
private sector. Payroll employment in the State in August was above the totals for February in virtually all
sectors other than manufacturing.
"Maryland's unemployment rate remains nearly 25 percent below the national average, as it has been all
year," Secretary Sanchez said.
"We are well positioned to add jobs in our State in the coming months as the physical movement of people
and jobs related to BRAC gains momentum."
Employment in natural resources, mining and construction (+2,000) and financial activities (+1,100) showed
solid growth in Maryland during August. It is the first time either of those industries has shown job growth
during August since 2005. The State has now added 4,500 construction jobs since January.
Key sector declines in August occurred in federal government (-1,400) due to the expiration of temporary
U.S. Census positions as well as in professional and business services (-2,200) and
trade/transportation/utilities (-2,800).
Employment Situation
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