R.I. unemployment grows minimally in July

RHODE ISLAND'S SEASONALLY ADJUSTED unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in July. / COURTESY THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING
RHODE ISLAND'S SEASONALLY ADJUSTED unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in July. / COURTESY THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate saw a 0.1 percentage point bump to 4.3 percent in July from June’s 4.2 percent while, year-to-date, the unemployment rate fell 1.1 percentage points, according to a Thursday statement by the R.I. Department of Labor and Training.

Unemployment across the nation was 4.3 percent percent in July, which marks dips from June’s 4.4 percent and July 2016’s 4.9 percent.

July is the sixth consecutive month Rhode Island’s unemployment rate has measured at or lower than the national average.

There were 800 more Rhode Islanders actively seeking employment in July for a total 24,100 unemployed individuals, a decrease of 5,800 individuals from July 2016.

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The number of residents collecting unemployment insurance benefits in July was 10,438 or 38.8 percent of the state’s total unemployed population.

Nonfarm payroll in Rhode Island totaled 499,200 in July – an increase of 3,100 jobs from June and 8,500 from July 2016.

“Rhode Islanders were hit hard by the recession and have worked hard to regain their economic security,” said Gov. Gina M. Raimondo in a statement on the DLT report. “Last month, we set another record for the number of jobs in GinaRhode Island and our labor force has expanded for seven straight months.”

Last month saw the state’s labor force grow by 400 to 556,900, reflective of a 4,200-person increase year-over-year.

The Massachusetts seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent in July, equal to the national and Rhode Island July unemployment rates. The Bay State added 1,500 jobs in June and 45,200 since July 2016.

Below is a sector-by-sector breakdown of job performance in Rhode Island:

  • Accommodation & Food Services: 1,400 jobs were added in July and 3,500 since July 2016
  • Health Care & Social Assistance: 600 jobs were added in July and 400 since July 2016
  • Manufacturing: 600 jobs were added in July for a total 41,800 (the highest level since March 2009), 1,200 jobs were added year-to-date
  • Professional & Business Services: 600 jobs were added in July but 200 have been lost since July 2016
  • Government: 300 jobs were added in July and the sector gained 100 jobs since July 2016
  • Educational Services: 200 jobs were added in July which reflects a gain of 700 year-to-date
  • Arts, Entertainment & Recreation: 200 jobs were added in July marking a gain of 100 since July 2016
  • Retail Trade: 100 jobs were added in July marking a gain 300 over the year
  • Transportation & Utilities: July saw 100 jobs added to the sector reflecting a gain of 300 since July 2016
  • Construction: no jobs were added or lost in July, but 2,300 were added year-to-date
  • Information: no jobs were added or lost in July, but 400 were dropped since July 2016
  • Financial activities: 500 jobs were lost in July marking a loss of 400 jobs since July 2016
  • Wholesale Trade: 300 jobs were lost in July while 300 were added year-to-date
  • Other Services: 200 jobs were dropped in July, but the sector has added 300 jobs since July 2016

Employment in the Mining & Logging sector remained unchanged in July and year-to-date.

Manufacturing workers earned $19.30 per hour in July, an increase of 35 cents from June and 90 cents from July 2016. They worked an average 38.7 hours per week in July, a drop of 36 minutes from July but unchanged from July 2016.

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.

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1 COMMENT

  1. For a more detailed analysis of the National employment/underemployment/unemployment situation;
    refer to The Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Table A-15 (which is updated monthly) at:
    https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t15.htm

    As of 08/04/2017, the rate of measurement at Level U6, for July 2017, is: EIGHT POINT SIX PER CENT (8.6%)

    And, to find a more detailed analysis of the employment/underemployment/unemployment situation, broken down to each individual states’ level, (The Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for States, which is updated quarterly), go to: http://www.bls.gov/lau/stalt.htm

    As of 07/28/17, Rhode Island’s Employment/Unemployment/Underemployment Rate at LEVEL U6 is:
    NINE PONT ONE PER CENT (9.1%)

    The next issuance of the alternative measures of labor underutilization for states,
    covering the four quarters ending in September 2017, is scheduled for Friday, October 27, 2017.

    Also, for a different perspective on the situation, check out http://rifreedom.org/joi/

    Thank you. jkp