HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Connecticut’s unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in June 2026, up from 3.9% a year ago, even as the state’s total nonfarm employment reached an all-time high, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.
The state added 1,500 nonfarm jobs in June, bringing total employment to 1,726,500. Over the past year, Connecticut has gained 9,300 positions. The national unemployment rate for June 2026 was 4.2%, marking the sixth consecutive month Connecticut’s rate has exceeded the U.S. rate.
Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor, said the state has added more jobs so far in 2026 than in all of 2025.
“Manufacturing is up 4,700 jobs so far this year and Construction is at an 18-year high,” Flaherty said. “The rise in the unemployment rate suggests some workers are taking longer to find a job than a couple of years ago when the high quit rate led to more openings for new labor force entrants.”
Job gains and losses by sector
Five of the ten major industry sectors added jobs in June. Trade, Transportation and Utilities led in numeric gains, adding 1,200 positions. Construction and Mining added 600 jobs, Manufacturing added 500, and Information and Private Education and Health Services each added 300. Other Services and Professional and Business Services were unchanged.
Three sectors lost jobs in June. Leisure and Hospitality shed 700 positions, Financial Activities lost 600, and Government declined by 100. Federal government employment in Connecticut is down 900 jobs, or 5%, from a year ago.
Regional breakdown
Among Connecticut’s five major labor market areas, three gained jobs in June and two lost positions. The New Haven and Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury areas each added 700 jobs. The Waterbury-Shelton area added 400 positions and led the state in percentage gains. The Hartford area shed 100 jobs, while the Norwich-New London-Willimantic area lost 200 positions.
Wages and hours
The average hourly earnings for private sector workers in June 2026 was $39.78, up $0.84, or 2.2%, from a year ago. Average weekly earnings were $1,328.65, an increase of $24.16, or 1.9%, from June 2025. The average private sector workweek was 33.4 hours. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers was up 3.5% from a year ago.
The preliminary July 2026 Labor Situation report is scheduled for release on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
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