The latest employment numbers issued by the Department of Workforce Services provides a snapshot of employment in Utah before social distancing measures were widely taken throughout the state. Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for March 2020 grew by an estimated 2.6 percent from one year prior, adding 40,400 jobs to the economy in that time. March’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate is estimated at 3.6 percent while the national unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics clarifies that the March numbers are measured through the week that includes the 12th day of the month so this new data largely reflects employment at the beginning of March. “The indicators in the March employment release depict a mix of a robust economic environment and Utah’s early experience with the adverse effects of coronavirus,” reports Mark Knold, Chief Economist at the Department of Workforce Services. “The impact of COVID19 is evident in many of Utah’s industrial sectors as we monitor initial unemployment insurance claims and current job openings.” The DWS report that will include the second half of March and first half of April will not be released until May 22nd. Unemployment rates by county as part of the March release will be announced this week.
