Rhode Island unemployment sticks at 8.9 percent

Posted on July 26, 2013

Rhode Island’s unemployment hasn’t changed at 8.9 percent, according to the department of labor.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June 2013 remained at 8.9 percent, unchanged from the May 2013 rate and down 1.7 percentage points from the June 2012 rate.

Payroll in Rhode Island totaled 467,200 in June, reflecting a gain of 400 jobs from the May revised employment estimate of 466,800.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in June 2013, unchanged from the previous month and down six-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 49,500, down 100 from the previous month. Over the year, the number of unemployed dropped by 9,700.

The number of employed RI residents dropped 300 over the month, decreasing to 509,000 in June. Over the year, the number of employed RI residents increased 8,300 from June 2012.

The RI labor force totaled 558,500 in June 2013, down 400 from May 2013 and down 1,400 from June 2012.

Educational Services experienced an unusual employment gain for June (+500), due in part to earlier-than-usual seasonal job losses the previous month. Employment in the Construction sector grew by 400 from May as growth was reported among specialty trade contractors. The Financial Services sector, aided by employment gains in the rental and leasing services industry group, also added 400 jobs in June. Smaller but positive gains were noted in the Transportation & Warehousing (+200) and Health Care & Social Assistance (+100) sectors, while employment in Government, Information and Mining & Logging remained unchanged.

Accommodation & Food Services reported lower than expected employment (-1,800), possibly due to inclement weather’s impact on tourism-related activities. The Retail Trade (-400) and Other Services (-400) sectors each fell short of the typical hiring that occurs in June.

In addition, job declines were reported in the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (-100), Manufacturing (-100) and Wholesale Trade (-100) sectors.

Over the year, total non-farm employment was up by 2,000, as job gains appeared in six economic sectors, including Professional & Business Services (+3,500), Financial Activities (+1,600), Health Care & Social Assistance (+900), Manufacturing (+500), Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (+500), and Transportation & Warehousing (+100).