Educational jobs in Rhode Island climb

Posted on July 4, 2017

New labor statistics show that educational jobs in Rhode Island have grown.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2017 was 4.1 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from the April rate. Over the year, the unemployment rate is down one and three-tenths percentage points from the May 2016 rate of 5.4 percent.

Payroll in Rhode Island totaled 495,400 in May, reflecting a gain of 600 jobs from the revised April estimate of 494,800. Overall, the number of jobs in Rhode Island is up 7,100 from May 2016.

The Accommodation & Food Services sector added 1,000 jobs in May, following a large gain of 600 jobs in April. Over the year, the number of jobs in the Accommodation & Food Services sector is up 1,700.

The Other Services sector reported the second highest job gain in May, reporting an increase of 500 jobs from April. Employment in the Other Services is up 200 from a year ago.

Following a loss of employment in April, the Health Care & Social Assistance sector rebounded with the addition of 400 jobs in May. Employment in the state’s largest employment sector is up 500 over the year.

The Construction sector continues to trend upward, adding 300 jobs in May. The Construction sector has added 1,600 jobs since the start of the year, an average gain of 300 jobs per month. Over the year, Construction employment is up 2,300.

The Educational Services and Information sectors round out the monthly job gains, adding 200 and 100 jobs, respectively. The increase of jobs in the Information sector is the first monthly increase of its kind since November 2016. Over the year, employment in Educational Services is up 400 while Information employment is up 300.

Offsetting May’s job gains were reported losses in six employment sectors led by the Professional & Business Services sector which lost 700 jobs. This industry sector has reported three consecutive months of job declines totaling 2,000 jobs, or an average loss of 700 jobs per month. Despite this recent fall, jobs in the Professional & Business Services sector is up 100 from a year ago.

Like the Professional & Business Services sector, the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation sector too has reported three consecutive months of job declines, shedding 600 jobs in May. Overall, the sector lost 1,600 jobs during this three month span and the number of jobs is down 400 over the year.