Maryland employers added 10,000 jobs, an increase of 4.8 percent, in July. According to the Labor Department estimates, number of jobs created in July was the largest increase in Maryland in the past four years.
Nevertheless, Maryland's unemployment rate grew, rising from 7.2 percent in June to 7.3 percent in July, a high not seen for more than a quarter century. That, however, is still well below the national unemployment rate of 9.4 percent.
Based on Labor Bureau job category definitions, Other Services and Government, two principal sectors that held back job growth in June led the employment increases in July, adding 6,000 jobs, while Government added 4,600 jobs. In addition, Accommodation and Food Services added 4,400 jobs. The state's manufacturing sector employment broke a sustained period of losses to adding 900 jobs during July, its greatest increase in ten years. However, this increase was limited to the durable goods manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing also posted strong gains in other parts of the country including Michigan, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky. These gains suggest a rebound in automobile manufacturing.
Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: DBED