Maryland adds 1,500 jobs in March; seventh straight month of job growth
BALTIMORE, MD (April 20, 2012) - Data released today by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor
Statistics shows that Maryland added 1,500 jobs in March. March was the seventh straight month of job
growth; additionally, February's preliminary gain of 8,000 jobs was revised upward to 9,600 jobs. Although
more people entered the workforce in March, Maryland's unemployment rate increased slightly to 6.6
percent as workforce growth outpaced employment gains. Maryland's unemployment rate remains 1.6 percentage
points better than the national rate of 8.2 percent.
"March was another strong month in Maryland's recovery, but we must remain focused to accelerate our
job growth and recover the jobs that were lost during the national economic recession," said Maryland
Labor Secretary Alexander M. Sanchez. "Our investments in skills development and education are helping
to put more Marylanders back to work, but we need to continue to cultivate our best-in-the-nation workforce."
March's growth was focused in the private sector, which rose by 4,200 jobs over-the-month. Maryland
added jobs in three major sectors: 2,700 in Trade, Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities; 3,400 in
Professional and Business Services; and 3,000 in Leisure and Hospitality. Since March 2011, Maryland has
added 49,600 jobs, 47,700 of which are in the private sector. Notable increases posted in Professional and
Business Services (16,500 jobs); Education, Health Care, and Social Assistance (16,200 jobs); Leisure and
Hospitality (8,100 jobs); and Natural Resources, Mining, and Construction (6,400 jobs). Manufacturing
(-3,300) and Financial Activities (-800) posted decreases over-the-year.
Secretary Sanchez will brief the media on the March 2012 jobs report during a conference call at noon
today (call-in: 800-619-4425; passcode: 7016775).
The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation protects and
empowers Marylanders by safeguarding workers, protecting
consumers, providing a safety net and cultivating a thriving
workforce that can meet the demands of Maryland’s dynamic
economy. Follow DLLR on Twitter
(@MD_DLLR) and Facebook.
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