Last Thursday, the New York State Department of Labor released its preliminary monthly jobs and labor force data for April. Let’s take a look at the highlights and break down data most relevant to the Finger Lakes.
Private sector jobs
According to the DOL, the number of private sector jobs in New York increased by 23,600, or 0.3%, to 7,937,300 during the month of April. The number of private sector jobs nationwide also increased by 0.3% over that same period.
New York’s private sector jobs- not seasonally adjusted- increased by 411,400, or 5.5%, from April 2021 to April 2022. The state’s job growth exceeded national growth, which was 5.2%, over that same period.
NYS job growth matched the nation in April. Credit: NYS DOL
Total non-farm and private sector jobs increased in April. Credit: NYS DOL
Related: NYS Economy added 27,500 private sector jobs in March
Statewide unemployment
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.6% to 4.5% last month, making April the fourth consecutive month in which New York’s unemployment rate has dropped. The number of unemployed New Yorkers decreased by 4,900, from 428,700 in March to 423,800 in April.
From April 2021 to April 2022, unemployment fell from 7.7% to 4.2% in New York.
New York’s unemployment rate fell by 0.1% in April. Credit: NYS DOL
Total labor force increased and the number of unemployed New Yorkers decreased in April. Credit: NYS DOL
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Job growth in our region
DOL data shows the number of non-farm jobs in Greater Ithaca fell by 1.8% from April 2021 to April 2022. Non-farm jobs in Cayuga County decreased by 1.3% over that same period.
In the Greater Rochester area, non-farm jobs increased by 3.4% from April 2021 to April 2022. Non-farm jobs in the Greater Syracuse area increased by 2.2% over that same period. Additionally, non-farm jobs grew by 4.7% in Schuyler County, 2.1% in Seneca County, and 0.8% in Steuben County year over year.
Number of non-farm jobs by metro area and county. Credit: NYS DOL
Related: Improve the chances of getting top-paying legal jobs in New York State
Most growth by industry
According to DOL figures, the leisure and hospitality industry gained the most jobs statewide in April, increasing by 85.4% from the same time last year. The industry with the second-highest job growth in April was the natural resources, mining and construction industry, which gained 51.1% more jobs from April 2021 to April 2022.
Leisure and Hospitality industry gained the most jobs from April 2021 to April 2022. Credit: NYS DOL
Number of non-farm jobs in New York by industry. Credit: NYS DOL
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About the data
Seasonally adjusted data are used to provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. Non-seasonally adjusted data are used in year-to-year comparisons of the same month (ex. April 2021 vs. April 2022).
New York’s payroll jobs data by industry come from a monthly survey of 18,000 business establishments conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data are preliminary and subject to revision. Jobs data by industry do not include agricultural workers, the self-employed, unpaid family workers or domestic workers in private households.
The state DOL releases jobs and labor force data every month. Check FingerLakes1.com for the May job and labor data breakdown in the coming weeks.
Related: High turnover impacting local governments across New York
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