Labor Statistics for the Mohawk Valley Region Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie Counties
| March 2012 | February 2012 | March 2011 |
|---|---|---|
|
8.8% |
9.4% |
8.8% |
The unemployment rate in the Utica-Rome MSA was 8.8 percent in March 2012, unchanged from March 2011. The current jobless rate is at its highest March level on record, tying the March rates in 2011 and 2010. (The current unemployment rate series began in 1990.)
Following normal seasonal trends, the jobless rate declined from February 2012. In the past 10 years, from February to March, the jobless rate declined 9 times and remained unchanged once.
The unemployment rate should continue to fall in April. Construction and leisure and hospitality employment will continue to grow as inclement weather subsides. In the past 10 years, from March to April, the jobless rate always declined. With a seasonal decline in the unemployment rate expected in April, the high mark for 2012 will most likely be the 9.4 percent jobless rate reached in February 2012.
Change in nonfarm jobs since March 2011
For the 12-month period ending March 2012, the nonfarm job count in the Utica-Rome metro area rose by 3,500, or 2.8 percent, to 130,600. This is the seventh month in a row that over-the-year job gains have occurred.
Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality (+1,500), educational and health services (+800), trade, transportation and utilities (+800), professional and business services (+400), and natural resources, mining and construction (+200). Expansion in trade, transportation and utilities occurred in retail trade (+700) and wholesale trade (+100).
Education and health services is at its highest March level on record. (This data series began in 1990.)
Job Losses occurred in financial activities (-100) and manufacturing (-100).
Manufacturing is at its lowest March level on record. (This data series began in 1990.)
Current Employment by Industry data for New York State, Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and Minor Counties.Special Interest to the Mohawk Valley
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The Region’s Biggest Job Gainers and Losers Since 2007
by Mark Barbano, Labor Market Analyst, Mohawk Valley
The overall job count in the Mohawk Valley region (Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie counties) is still below where it stood in 2007, the last full year before the “Great Recession” hit the New York State economy. From 2007 to 2010, employment in the region fell from 197,610 to 191,790. This was a drop of 5,820, or 2.9%. In this article, we review which industries gained or lost the most jobs (net change) in the region over this period. All data presented come from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), gathered from employers covered under New York State’s Unemployment Insurance Law.
Industry Job Gainers
Social assistance added the most jobs (+680) of any industry in the region between 2007 and 2010. The sector set an all-time employment high in 2010. The largest job gains occurred in vocational rehabilitation services and services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The federal government added 570 jobs from 2007 to 2010. It was boosted by growth at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service and temporary hiring for the 2010 Census. Federal government jobs pay above-average wages -- $53,365 -- nearly 50% higher than the region’s average ($35,815).
Between 2007 and 2010, food services and drinking places added 520 jobs. Most of the industry’s gain occurred in 2010. The industry’s average wage of $12,735 is quite low. This is because many of the jobs are part-time.
The Mohawk Valley’s educational services sector added 470 jobs in 2007-2010. This includes private elementary and secondary schools and private two- and four-year colleges. (Note: Public schools are part of the local government sector.)
Hospitals added 430 jobs from 2007 to 2010. This large industry boasted a higher-than-average wage of $49,985 in 2010. Except in 2007, the job count in this key sector grew every year between 2000 and 2010.
Industry Job Losers
Administrative and support services lost the most jobs (-790) between 2007 and 2010. Most of the drop was in a catchall category -- all other support services. The job count also dipped in temporary help services, due to the recession.
The second biggest employment drop was recorded in insurance carriers, which lost 610 jobs in 2007-2010. In 2010, the industry’s average wage was $51,101 -- more than 40% higher than the region’s average wage.
Motor vehicles and parts dealers lost 550 jobs between 2007 and 2010. Following national trends, most losses were at new car dealers. However, dealers in used cars, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and tires also saw jobs drop.
Printing and related support activities lost 520 jobs over the three-year period. This was the only manufacturing industry on the Mohawk Valley’s “losers” list.
Warehousing and storage lost 510 jobs between 2007 and 2010. This industry, however, is still significant to the region, due to both its large number of jobs and high wages. Although industry employment is down since 2007, it is still double from where it stood in 2000.
Summary
The regional industry trends outlined above largely match what occurred statewide over the 2007-2010 period. For details on the Mohawk Valley regional economy, visit www.labor.ny.gov/stats/moh/.
Mark Barbano
NYS Department of Labor
State Office Bldg.
207 Genesee St., Room 604
Utica, NY 13501
Phone: (315) 793-2282
Fax: (315) 793-2354
E-mail: Mark.Barbano@labor.ny.gov