PROVIDENCE – From August’s 4.3 percent, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dipped slightly to 4.2 percent in September reflecting a 1.1 percentage point decline year over year, according to a Thursday statement form the R.I. Department of Labor and Training.
Nationally, the unemployment rate in September was 4.2 percent – a 0.2 percentage point dip from August and a 0.7 percentage point fall since September 2016. September ends the seven-consecutive month-long streak in which Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was lower than the national average.
There were 23,200 unemployed Rhode Islanders in September, 500 fewer than in August and 5,800 fewer than those out of work in September 2016.
In September there were 6,955 Rhode Islanders collecting unemployment insurance benefits, or 34 percent of the state’s total unemployed. There were 9,732 individuals collecting unemployment insurance in August and 7,298 receiving the service in September 2016.
The state’s nonfarm payroll came in at 495,100 in September, a dip of 3,700 jobs from August’s revised figure (498,800). There are 4,500 more jobs in Rhode Island since September 2016.
The R.I. DLT’s report measured the September labor force at 555,000 – a loss of 1,300 individuals from August and a gain of 2,800 in the labor force since September 2016. The Thursday report found there are 700 fewer employed residents since August and 8,600 more employed over the year.
The Massachusetts seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.3 percentage points to 3.9 percent in September. The Bay State added 8,600 jobs in September and 62,300 since September 2016.
Below is a sector-by-sector breakdown of job performance in Rhode Island:
- Other Services: 600 jobs were added in September and the industry has gained 200 jobs from September 2016
- Transportation and Utilities: the industry saw 200 jobs added in September and has gained 100 jobs year-to-date
- Government: 400 jobs were added in September while the sector has lost 200 since September 2016
- Accommodation and Food Services: 1,500 jobs were lost in September while 2,600 have been added since September 2016
- Educational Services: the sector lost 800 jobs in September, ending two consecutive months of job gains, and added 100 jobs year-to-date
- Health Care and Social Assistance: 600 jobs were dropped in September but the industry has added 400 since September 2016
- Professional and Business Services: September saw the industry lose 600 jobs and lost 1,400 year-to-date
- Financial Activities: 500 jobs were lost in September and 1,000 have been shed since September 2016
- Construction: The sector lost 400 jobs in September while it has added 2,500 from September 2016
- Arts, Entertainment and Recreation: 300 jobs were dropped by the sector in September and the sector has seen 100 jobs dropped year-to-date
- Manufacturing: The industry lost 100 jobs in September while adding 1,100 since September 2016
- Retail Trade: 100 jobs were shed by the sector in September and the industry has lost 200 since September 2016
- Information: the sector remained unchanged in September while losing 500 jobs year-to-date
- Wholesale Trade: the sector also remained unchanged while 900 jobs were added since September 2016
In September, production workers in the Manufacturing sector earned $19.02 per hour – a gain of 10 cents from August and 58 cents from September 2016. They worked an average of 39.5 hours per week in September – 42 minutes less than August and six minutes more than a year ago.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
