State economy adds 36,200 private sector jobs in July

ALBANY — New York State’s private sector job count increased by 36,200, or 0.5%, to 7,951,900, a new record high, according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor.

While the number of workers have increased, the statewide unemployment rate was unchanged from June’s level of 4.7 percent. That remains below the comparable U.S. rate of 4.9 percent, however. Still, New York’s statewide unemployment rate remained at its lowest level since August 2007.

The State’s private sector job count is based on a payroll survey of 18,000 New York employers conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Monthly payroll employment estimates are preliminary and subject to revision as more data becomes available the following month. The federal government calculates New York State’s unemployment rate based partly upon the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month.

“New York State’s labor market continued to advance in July 2016, reaching a new record high in private sector jobs. In addition, the state’s monthly gain in private sector jobs was New York’s largest in almost three years,” said Bohdan M. Wynnyk, Deputy Director of the New York State Department of Labor’s Division of Research and Statistics.

Locally, the Buffalo-Niagara Falls market added 4,100 private sector jobs — or .9 percent — in July, while Rochester lagged behind with an 800 private sector job gain — .2 percent.

Statewide, private educational and health services added the most jobs (52,700) of any major industry sector over the past year. Sector job gains were mostly in health care and social assistance (38,400), especially ambulatory health care (21,100). The second largest employment increase over the past year occurred in leisure and hospitality (30,200). Sector gains were centered in accommodation and food services (26,400), especially food services and drinking places (27,300).
Other services had the third largest increase in jobs (10,100) between July 2015 and July 2016.

Not all sectors added, however; Over the past 12 months, manufacturing lost 4,200 jobs.