Colorado Employment Situation October 2013

Nonfarm payroll jobs increased 1,500 over the month from September to October to 2,371,900 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 2,100 and government decreased 600. 

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate decreased one tenth of a percentage point in October to 6.8 percent. This is the lowest unemployment rate since reaching 6.7 percent in January 2009. The number of people participating in the labor force decreased 13,400 over the month and the number of people reporting themselves as employed decreased 7,400.  The larger decline in the labor force than in total employment caused the number of unemployed to decrease 6,100 and the unemployment rate to decrease to 6.8 percent. The national unemployment rate increased to 7.3 percent.  Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls decreased from 35.0 to 34.6 hours and average hourly earnings increased from $24.61 to $25.72. 

The largest over the month job gains were in professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality and manufacturing. The largest over the month declines were in trade, transportation and utilities, construction, and information. 

Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 45,600. Private sector payroll jobs increased 38,600 and government increased 7,000. The largest private sector job gains were in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and education and health services. Information and financial activities declined. 

Over the year, the unemployment rate declined nine tenths of one percentage point from 7.7 percent in October 2012. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 3,600, total employment increased 30,200 and the number of unemployed decreased 26,600. The national unemployment rate declined from 7.9 percent in October 2012 to 7.3 percent in October 2013. 

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All Colorado estimates from the establishment and household surveys, including greater geographic detail, are available at: http://www.colmigateway.com. Estimates for all states and the nation are available at: http://www.bls.gov. 

The unemployment percentages for southeast Colorado Counties are as follows:

                        Oct 2013               Unemp                 Sept 2013            Oct 2012        Unemp

Baca                      3.9                          80                          4.2                         3.8                  90
Bent                      8.4                        161                          8.6                         7.9                180
Kiowa                   4.0                           31                         4.1                          4.0                  39
Kit Carson            4.0                        166                          4.3                         4.3                201
Las Animas          8.9                        659                          9.7                       10.4                855
Crowley             10.6                        170                        10.8                       10.1                175
Otero                    8.3                        701                          8.7                         8.9                819
Prowers                5.3                        329                          5.8                         6.2                421