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SALT LAKE CITY — The state's nonfarm payroll employment for September grew by an estimated 2.9 percent, adding 39,800 jobs to the economy compared to the same time last year.
The Utah Department of Workforce Services reported that 1,434,200 Utahns were considered gainfully employed in September.
For the month, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined 0.3 percent from August to register at 3.4 percent. Approximately 50,700 Utahns were unemployed and actively seeking work. Nationally, the jobless rate crept up slightly to 5 percent.
The report showed that nine of 10 private sector industry groups measured in the establishment survey posted net job increases in September compared to last year, with the natural resources and mining industry losing 800 positions. On the positive side, the largest private sector job gains were in education and health services — which added 8,200 jobs, with financial activities gaining 6,300 positions, while trade, transportation and utilities added 6,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, the fastest employment growth occurred in financial activities — up 7.9 percent, with education and health services up 4.4 percent, and manufacturing climbing 3.5 percent.
“Utah’s employment has grown by a robust amount compared to 2015 levels,” said Carrie Mayne, the Utah Department of Workforce Services' chief economist. “The unemployment rate is now exhibiting a downward trend, showing the responsiveness of our state’s labor market to the needs of our expanding businesses.”
