The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) recently released Utah’s Employment Summary for May of 2021.
The summary began by explaining that Utah’s non-farm payroll employment for the month increased by an estimated 2.6% across the past 24 months and the state’s economy both returned and added a cumulative 39,800 jobs since May of 2019.
Currently, Utah’s employment level is at 1,595,700 and May’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate is estimated at 2.7% with approximately 44,350 Utahns now unemployed. The nationwide unemployment level is 5.8%.
Mark Knold, the Chief Economist at the DWS, reported that Utah’s economy continues to add jobs as it responds to both population growth and post-pandemic business revitalization. He stated that Utah’s low unemployment rate is currently presenting challenges as an aggressive hiring push is underway.
This push is largely in the leisure and hospitality segment, which is currently finding a less-than-equal response. Though the labor supply for Utahn’s is not as fully employed as it was pre-COVID-19, according to Knold, workers are not returning at the same speed as jobs are becoming available.
The employment summary continued by explaining that Utah’s May private sector employment recorded a two-year expansion of 4.0%. Six of the 10 major private-sector industry groups in Utah posted net two-year job gains, which were led by professional and business services.
This was followed by trade, transportation and utilities, construction and financial activities. Four of the industry groups with less employment than in 2019 are natural resources and mining, information, hospitality services and other services.
Carbon County landed at 9,027 for non-farm employment as of May 2021 while Emery County sat at 3,420. For Carbon, that was a -1.5% change and a -2.8% change for Emery.
Utah’s statewide virtual job fair is slated to take place on Thursday, July 8 beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 1 p.m. that afternoon. Those that are interested in learning more about the fair or signing up for a booth at the next fair can connect with their local workforce development specialist or area director.