Construction jobs in Rhode Island grow

Posted on January 9, 2017

The number of construction jobs in Rhode Island are climbing, according to the latest labor report.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in November 2016, down three-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month and down four-tenths of a percentage point over the year.

The number of unemployed RI residents—those residents classified as available for and actively seeking employment—was 29,200, down 1,500 from the October figure of 30,700. Over the year, the number of unemployed dropped by 1,100.

Estimated nonfarm payroll in Rhode Island totaled 492,700 in November, reflecting a gain of 400 jobs from the revised October estimate of 492,300. November marks two consecutive months of job gains totaling 2,000 jobs. Since the start of the year, a total of 4,200 jobs have been added to the economy. Overall, total nonfarm jobs are up 5,500 from November 2015.

The Arts, Entertainment & Recreation sector reported an over-the-month gain of 500 jobs in November. On average, this sector added over 300 jobs during the past three months, while having 500 more employees than a year ago.

Employment in Educational Services rose by 300 in November, following an increase of 700 in October. Over-the-year employment in Educational Services is up 500.

The Construction, Health Care & Social Assistance and Government sectors each reported gains of 200 jobs over the month. The number of jobs in Government is up 500 over the year, while the number of jobs in the Construction and Health Care & Social Assistance sectors are up 300 and 100, respectively.

Finally, November job gains were also reported in the Information, Professional & Business Services and Transportation & Utilities sectors, as all three sectors reported a gain of 100 jobs each. Among these three industries, the Professional & Business Services sector has prospered with an additional 2,300 jobs from a year ago, while the number of jobs in the Information (-300) and Transportation & Utilities (-100) sectors are both down over the year.