As we approach the summer months, Utah’s economic outlook remains strong: Jobs for May 2015 grew by an estimated 3.8 percent, adding 50,000 jobs to the economy as compared to May 2014. Utah’s current employment level registers 1,375,300.

May’s unemployment rate increased one tenth of a percentage point from the previous month, measuring 3.5 percent. Approximately 50,800 Utahns were unemployed in the month and actively seeking work. The national unemployment rate also increased one tenth of a percentage point, registering 5.5 percent in May.

“The Utah job market continues to thrive,” reported Carrie Mayne, chief economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “While our May numbers show a minute shift from previous months, our overall labor force continues to grow indicating no real slowdown in our economic momentum.”

Nine of the 10 private sector industry groups measured in the establishment survey posted net job increases in May as compared to last year, while Natural Resources and Mining contracted by 700 positions.

The largest private sector employment increases were in:

• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (10,600 jobs)
• Professional and Business Services (10,000 jobs)
• Education and Health Services (9,300 jobs)

The fastest employment growth occurred in:

• Leisure and Hospitality (6.0 percent)
• Professional and Business Services (5.5 percent)
• Education and Health Services (5.4 percent)

Carrie Mayne breaks down the data in this quick video:

For more information visit our Labor Market Employment Update web pages.