September National Unemployment Holds Steady As The Region Awaits Its Latest County-By-County Numbers
(UCBJ) – The national unemployment rate held steady in September, while the number of nonfarm jobs increased slightly, according to new data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It was 4.2% in September, unchanged from August, while nonfarm payroll employment increased by 29,000.
At that time, 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties reported unemployment rates below 5%, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
In the Upper Cumberland, Macon County had one of the state’s lowest unemployment rates in August at 3%, while Pickett County recorded a 5.2% rate.
Statewide, Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4% in August, unchanged from July and below the national rate of 4.1% at the time. According to the BLS, the national unemployment rate has remained between 4.1% and 4.3% since March. The number of unemployed people nationally was approximately 7.1 million in September.
The labor force participation rate was 61.8%, while the employment-population ratio was 59.2%.
Health care employment continued to trend upward nationally, adding 17,000 jobs in September. Ambulatory health care services added 13,000 jobs and hospitals added 12,000, while nursing and residential care facilities lost 9,000 jobs.
Construction employment increased by 11,000 jobs nationally, while manufacturing employment increased by 9,000. Employment in financial activities declined by 7,000 jobs during September.
The BLS reported little change in several other major industries, including:
- wholesale
- trade
- retail trade
- transportation and warehousing
- professional and business services
- leisure and hospitality
- government
Average hourly earnings for private-sector employees increased by 5 cents, or 0.1%, in September to $37.81. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased 3%. The average workweek for private nonfarm employees remained at 34.4 hours.
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