Data shows Utah added jobs in construction, manufacturing and other industries between June 2022 and 2023 even as the unemployment rate rose slightly.
Neither does Phil Dean, the chief economist at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, who described the change as minor. He said a high rate of labor force participation could be behind the increase.Employment grew in nearly every industry compared to June 2022, though some had fewer jobs filled than in May 2023.1. Unemployment rate is still low despite the slight increaseUnemployment ranged between 1.8% and 5.4% in the 50 states and Washington, D.C., averaging 3.1%.
In addition to neighboring Nevada having the highest unemployment rate, Idaho and Colorado and Wyoming had slightly higher rates, and Arizona was more than a percentage point higher.Utah’s overall employment was 1,724,300 in June 2023. That’s up 48,200 — or 2.9% — from June 2022.According to the federal agency, 42,580 people in Utah were unemployed in June 2023. That’s an increase of 2,807 compared to June 2022 and is also up from May.