Government employment cuts caused the county to lose jobs in August from July, but the private sector showed encouraging signs of growth last month.
Employers here shed 2,300 jobs in August from July for total of 1.35 million nonfarm workers, according to the state Employment Development Department.
Federal, state and local government agencies accounted for all of the loss and then some, shedding 2,600 jobs last month, the most of any sector.
Government has lagged the private sector in laying off workers, with local, state and federal agencies just now cutting jobs in earnest as they deal with budget issues.
The government cuts were offset by companies hiring in the professional and business services segment, which includes employment agencies.
The segment reported the largest growth of any sector, adding 3,700 jobs in August from July. That reversed a 1,400 job loss in July from June.
Gains in administrative and support services—up 3,200 jobs—and professional, scientific and technical services—up 500 jobs—led the August corporate hiring.
Manufacturing was the only other major industry to increase payroll last month, adding 100 jobs.
The county’s unemployment rate was 9.6% in August, down from a revised 9.9% for July and below the 9.8% of a year earlier.
On a yearly basis, the county gained jobs, albeit at a small clip.
Employers here in August added 12,000 jobs, a 0.9% gain from a year earlier. It marked the second month of consecutive yearly gains.
Professional and business services recorded the largest yearly growth adding 11,000 jobs.
Administrative and support services was responsible for 63% of the added jobs. These often were the first eliminated by companies when the downturn began in late 2007.
Leisure and hospitality had the second largest yearly gain with the addition of 7,800 jobs, a sign that consumers are spending some discretionary income at restaurants, hotels and amusement parks.
The construction sector, hardest hit in the recession and real estate crash, posted the largest yearly employment decline with 6,700 jobs lost. Cuts in specialty trade contractors led the decline with 3,500 jobs lost.
On a monthly basis, the construction industry lost 600 jobs in August, wiping out the 600 it gained in July from June.
