By Bill Thoenes
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Special to The SUN
Nonfarm payroll jobs in Colorado 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.
