The number of jobs in New York State increased in August at a slightly slower pace than in July, and were boosted by the start of hiring for the 2020 census. The New York State Department of Labor reported that employment statewide increased by 153,300 (seasonally adjusted) in August following an increase of 161,000 in July; Federal government employment in the state in August rose nearly 21,000. The state’s job count is now about 14% below its pre-COVID-19 peak in February. The increase in employment nationwide in August also slowed from July, the total boosted as well by census hiring; employment nationwide is now about 7.5% below its pre-COVID-19 peak. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employment in New York City was up by 108,000 in August, above the 42,400 job gain in July. Employment in the city is now roughly 15% below its pre-COVID-19 peak.
The unemployment picture in New York improved significantly in August. New York State’s unemployment rate fell more than three percentage points from July to 12.5%. The state’s rate is above the 8.4% unemployment rate nationwide. In New York City, the unemployment rate fell to 16.0% in August from 19.9% in July.
The New York State Department of Labor reported filings of initial claims for Unemployment Insurance in the state totaled 71,641 during the week ending September 19, above the previous week’s filings and up from the prior four-week average of 64,102. More than 3.8 million workers in New York have filed an initial claim for Unemployment Insurance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In New York City, filings of initial claims for Unemployment Insurance totaled 41,463 during the week ending September 19, also above the previous week’s filings and up from the prior four-week average of 35,662.