Utah’s unemployment slightly decreases, remaining one of nation’s lowest

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Utah reported a 4.1% unemployment rate for the month of August, a slight decrease from its 4.5% in July. This comes as the U.S. reports an 8.4% unemployment rate — putting Utah as one of the lowest in the country. 

Roughly 66,100 Utahns were unemployed in August, according to a new report by the the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Moreover, the Beehive State reported 25,300 fewer jobs last month compared to the last year — accounting for a 1.6% decrease. 

However, officials say the numbers are good news — and a sign of continued economic growth. 

“Utah’s economy continues along its path of improvement,” said Mark Knold, chief economist at the Department of Workforce Services, in a statement. “The unemployment rate dropped again and remains one of the nation’s lowest.”

The state’s private sector reported a 1.6% decline in employment numbers over the last year, improving on last month’s 2.1% deficit. Additionally, four of Utah’s 10 private-sector major industry groups reported job gains over the last month — including construction, trade, transportation and utilities.

“While the overall pace of job re-engagement is unchanged from July, there was an underlying employment improvement in the private sector, which is the Utah economy’s foundational and market-driven component,” Knokld said. “It speaks to the energy and prospects within the Utah economy.”

However, other sectors — like leisure and hospitality services — saw large August unemployment rates.