The county’s unemployment rate rose again in July as seasonal cutbacks in education outpaced job gains in the private sector.
The unemployment rate hit 9.3%, up from 9.2% in June and 9.9% a year earlier, according to the state Employment Development Department.
That’s the highest level since November and the second-straight monthly increase.
The county lost 5,900 jobs in July from June as employment was relatively flat at 1.36 million nonfarm workers.
Government reported the largest monthly decline, shedding 11,500 jobs.
Local government education saw the biggest drop, down 13,300 due to summer recess.
Professional and business services added 2,500 jobs in July, the biggest increase of any sector.
Administrative and support services, which includes temporary help companies, added 1,200 jobs.
Construction, a lingering sore spot in the recovery, added 2,100 jobs in July, the third straight month of gains.
Specialty trade contractors added 2,000 positions, which accounted for 95% of the job gains.
Health care and social assistance added 3,800 jobs, while educational services added 2,000 jobs.
Trade, transportation and utilities posted the largest yearly decrease, shedding 2,000 jobs.
Government shed 1,500 jobs.
That snapped four-straight months since the recent recession that government led yearly declines.
Manufacturing was down 900 jobs, other services shed 600 jobs and information lost 300 jobs.
Employers here in July added 13,900 jobs on a year-to-year basis. It was the 12th-consecutive of yearly gains.
