Employment for October 2017 grew by an estimated 2.7 percent, adding 39,400 jobs to Utah's economy since October 2016. Utah’s current employment level registers 1,492,600. September’s year-over job growth was revised from 2.4 percent to 2.7 percent.

October’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point from the prior month to 3.3 percent. Approximately 51,600 Utahns were unemployed during the month and actively seeking work. The national unemployment rate decreased one-tenth of a percentage point from September to 4.1 percent.

“Employment trends in Utah have moderated slightly but continue to show notable expansion,” reported Carrie Mayne, Chief Economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “Unemployment remains low, indicating that opportunities for employment are meeting the needs of job seekers.”

Utah’s private sector employment grew by 2.9 percent year-over with the addition of 34,800 positions. Eight of the 10 private sector industry groups measured in the establishment survey posted net job increases in October as compared to last year, while the Natural Resources and Mining industry decreased by 300 positions and the Information industry lost 1,000 positions.

The largest private sector employment increases were in:

• Professional and Business Services (10,000 jobs)
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (6,200 jobs)
• Education and Health Services (5,500 jobs)

The fastest employment growth occurred in:

• Other Services (6.1 percent)
• Professional and Business Services (4.8 percent)
• Construction (4.5 percent)

Chief Economist Carrie Mayne shares her analysis of October’s employment report in this quick video:

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

Following the release of the October 2017 job numbers for the state of Utah, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows Utah is ranked No. 2 for total job growth in the U.S. at 2.7 percent. In addition, Utah is tied for No. 1 with Nevada for private sector job growth at 2.9 percent. For unemployment, Utah is tied for No. 10 with Minnesota at 3.3 percent.

BLS data shows Utah rankings as follows:

TOTAL JOB GROWTH

(1)  Nevada – 2.8 percent

(2)  Utah – 2.7 percent

(3)  Texas – 2.6 percent

PRIVATE SECTOR JOB GROWTH

(1)  Utah – 2.9 percent

(1)  Nevada – 2.9 percent

(3)  Texas – 2.7 percent

(3)  Oregon – 2.7 percent

UNEMPLOYMENT

(1)  Hawaii – 2.2 percent

(2)  North Dakota – 2.5 percent

(3)  Colorado – 2.7 percent

(3)  Nebraska – 2.7 percent

(3) New Hampshire – 2.7 percent

(6)  Idaho – 2.9 percent

(6)  Vermont – 2.9 percent

(8)  Iowa – 3.0 percent

(8)  Tennessee – 3.0 percent

(10)  Utah – 3.3 percent

(10)  Minnesota – 3.3 percent

*Source: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.toc.htm