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Maryland Adds More Than 50,000 Jobs in 2018

State Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.9 Percent

BALTIMORE (Jan. 18, 2019) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released state jobs and unemployment data. According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland added 4,900 jobs in December, the ninth month in 2018 to post over-the-month job gains. Maryland’s unemployment rate has now fallen to 3.9%, the same as the U.S. unemployment rate.

Compared with this time last year, Maryland jobs are up by 50,900, for an over-the-year increase of 1.9 percent. Private sector jobs have grown as well, with 51,000 jobs added over the year, an increase of 2.3%.

“Maryland’s economy continues its excellent record of growth,” said Acting Labor Secretary James E. Rzepkowski. “In this steady business environment, employers have the latitude to invest in and grow their workforce. Maryland’s nationally recognized workforce development programs leverage stakeholder input to identify specific industry needs, and then direct resources to meet those needs. In this way, we are working together to build our talent and create innovative, effective career pathways for Maryland workers.”

Both the Professional and Business Services and Education and Health Services sectors continued to grow last month, posting the highest gains of all sectors. 1,900 jobs were created within Professional and Business Services, the majority within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (1,800 jobs) subsector. The remaining 100 jobs were within Management of Companies and Enterprises. Education and Health Services similarly added 1,900 jobs in December: 1,800 jobs within Health Care and Social Assistance, and 100 jobs in Educational Services.

Manufacturing (900 jobs), Mining, Logging and Construction (600 jobs), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (300 jobs), Information (300 jobs), and Leisure and Hospitality (100 jobs) also experienced growth last month. Of note, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities – a subsector of Trade, Transportation and Utilities – experienced an increase of 1,100 jobs in December.

Only two sectors experienced decline last month. Financial Activities decreased by 1,200 jobs across the Finance and Insurance (700 jobs) and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (500 jobs) subsectors. Other Services decreased by 600 jobs.

The state’s preliminary jobs estimate for November was revised downwards by BLS by 1,700 jobs to a gain of 6,200 jobs over-the-month.

About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.

Employment Situation

Note: Data is spidered in on the DLLR website directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) using Datazoa and a slight lag may exist as the database is refreshed.

For immediate access to this month's jobs data please go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website.

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