(BALTIMORE, 11/23/10) - Alexander M. Sanchez, Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, announced
today that Maryland added approximately 5,900 jobs in October on a preliminary basis as compared with
September's revised totals. Maryland has now generated approximately 40,600 net jobs since January, adding
jobs at a rate that is higher than the national growth rate during that period. This marks the fifth straight
month that 2010 job totals have risen above year-ago figures, and the first time since 2006 that payrolls
have increased from September to October.
"We are pleased that job growth has continued to increase in this challenging economic climate," said
Secretary Sanchez. "We are committed to working with employers to create new opportunities for all
Marylanders, and hope that Maryland's success will soon be reflected on a national level."
September's unemployment rate was revised downward from 7.5% to 7.4%, and October's preliminary estimates
have held steady at 7.4%; however, there was an increase of 10,466 in the number of employed Marylanders.
This marks the first September-October employment increase since 2007. On a national level, the rate remains
at 9.6%, while employment declined and unemployment increased.
The private sector was responsible for the majority of October's growth, with the retail trade sector
adding the most jobs (+4,100). This is the first time that the retail industry has posted a September-October
increase since 2006. The administrative and support services sector reported an increase of 2,000 jobs,
partly due to the growth of temp agencies. Notable gains were also observed in the health care and social
assistance sector (+2,200) and the educational services sector (+2,100, possibly owing to increased hiring by
colleges and universities receiving grants). Over the past year, Maryland has gained a total of 28,400
jobs, for a growth rate of 1.1 percent - nearly twice the national rate of 0.6%.
Employment Situation
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