Colorado Employment Situation – June 2013

Nonfarm payroll jobs increased 11,000 over the month from May to June reaching 2,368,300 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 7,200 and government increased 3,800. In June payroll jobs exceeded the previous peak of 2,363,500 reached May 2008 by 4,800. 

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate increased one tenth of a percentage point to 7.0 percent. The number of people participating in the labor force increased 2,300 over the month and the number of people reporting themselves as employed decreased 2,500. The decline in total employment and increase in the labor force caused the number of unemployed to increase 4,900 and the unemployment rate to increase to 7.0 percent. The national unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.6 percent. 

Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased from 34.9 to 35.6 hours and average hourly earnings increased from $24.50 to $25.40. 

The largest over the month private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, construction, and manufacturing. The largest over the month declines were in trade, transportation and utilities and other services. 

Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 62,400. Private sector payroll jobs increased 54,700 and government increased 7,700. The largest private sector job gains were in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and construction. There were no significant over the year declines. 

Over the year, the unemployment rate declined one and two tenths of a percentage point from 8.2 percent in June 2012. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 35,600, total employment increased 64,000 and the number of unemployed decreased 28,300. The national unemployment rate declined from 8.2 percent in June 2012 to 7.6 percent in June 2013. 

The unemployment percentages for southeast Colorado Counties are as follows: 

                        June 2013      Unemp         May 2013         June 2012         Unemp 

Baca                  4.2                   101                    3.4                   3.5                        99
Bent                  8.6                   190                    7.6                   7.6                     200
Kiowa               4.4                     40                    3.4                   3.8                       42
Kit Carson       4.5                    212                    3.8                  4.4                      225
Las Animas     11.2                  860                    9.5                 11.2                     900
Crowley             9.5                   155                    8.3                10.5                      185
Otero                10.5                  939                    9.0                 9.7                       912
Prowers             6.6                  440                     5.2                6.7                       488