Connecticut employers added 700 jobs in July, while the jobs added in June were revised downward, according to a report released Monday by the state Department of Labor.
The state’s unemployment rate remained at 3.8% for the second consecutive month, making it the third straight year that Connecticut’s rate has been below what economists consider a full employment rate of 4%, the department said.
July’s estimated gain of 700 jobs was well below the gain in June, but that total was revised downward by 200 jobs to 6,100, the DOL said.
Still, private sector employment totaled 1,482,500 in July, 500 jobs below the record high set in January, the department said.
The professional, scientific and technical services sector gained the most jobs in July, adding 1,300 jobs. The sector includes IT companies, lawyers, accountants and consultants.
The state’s labor force participation rate fell by 2,500 in July after declining by 3,700 in June. The department said the decline may be “a normal fluctuation for a state with an aging population,” though it added that the declines also could be related “to federal immigration policy.”
Despite the consecutive months of declines, the state’s labor force participation rate was 64.7%, well above the national rate of 62.2%.
“With around 80,000 jobs available in the state, there is opportunity for job seekers,” said Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo. “After the rapid post-pandemic growth, it’s taking longer to find a job than it did a few years ago, but CTDOL has resources to help.”
She added that job seekers should visit American Job Centers for help.