Unemployment in Utah took a slight rise from April to May, according to data released by the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The jobless number rose from 3.1 percent in April to 3.2 percent in May.
Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington, D.C.
The state’s nonfarm payroll employment has increased an estimated 2.5 percent over the past 12 months, according to May numbers. The state’s economy has added a cumulative 42,900 jobs since May 2024 and the job count now stands at approximately 1,786,000.
“Utah continues to experience strong job growth, particularly in the private sector,” said Ben Crabb, chief economist with the Utah Department of Workforce Services. “While the unemployment rate saw a slight increase, the state’s economy remains robust.”
Utah’s May private-sector employment recorded a year-over-year expansion of 2.3 percent — a 33,400-job increase. Eight of the 10 major private-sector industry groups posted net year-over-year job gains. The overall gains were led by education and health services (up 18,000 jobs), construction (up 7,800 jobs) and manufacturing (up 3,200 jobs). Trade, transportation and utilities (down 3,100 jobs) and other services (down 1,200 jobs) experienced year-over-year job losses.
Additional information and analysis on Utah’s employment situation, including county-by-county statistics, are available at the DWS website, jobs.utah.gov.