Number of states adding jobs dips in April six states lost jobs

Compared to a year ago, jobs increased in 44 states, according to April figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of states adding jobs dipped from the 48 that posted employment gains in March. The current tally of six states with job losses is the largest number so far this year, and gives evidence that labor markets are still struggling in many parts of the country.

Compared to a year ago, jobs increased in 44 states, according to preliminary April figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of states adding jobs dipped from the 48 that posted employment gains in March. The two that lost jobs in March were Kansas and New Mexico.

In April, New Jersey, Nevada, South Dakota and Maryland joined the group with declines over-the-year. Among those states losing jobs in April, New Jersey saw the biggest decrease, with a drop of 6,200. Due to regional and industry fluctuations, it is relatively rare for all 50 states simultaneously to be adding jobs.

Since 2000, the stars have aligned to allow all 50 states to add jobs over-the-year only twice, in June of 2000 and April of 2005. But the current tally of six states with job losses is the largest number so far this year, and gives evidence that labor markets are still struggling in many parts of the country. The U.S. economy added 1.4 million nonfarm jobs in April, an increase of 1.1 percent over the 12 month period.

North Dakota holds fast to first place

North Dakota posted the fastest rate of employment growth over-the-year in April, up 3.3 percent. North Dakota has ranked as the fastest growing state for 24 consecutive months, beginning in the summer of 2009. The most rapidly growing employment sector in the nation in April was mining, including oil drilling and coal mining, as well as mining of mineral resources.

North Dakota ranked first in mining growth, with employment up by 54 percent in April. With nonfarm employment up by 254,000, Texas added the greatest number of new jobs over-the-year in April. California jobs were up by 148,100 during the 12 months. Several states have moved into the ranks of the top 10 fastest growing after sluggish growth last year.

Oklahoma employment was up 1.7 percent in April, ranking the Sooner state in fifth position, compared to 37th place last year at this time. Oklahoma ranked first in the rate of growth of construction (5.9 percent) and manufacturing (7.4 percent). Utah is now sixth overall, and was 28th in April of last year. Michigan is 7th, up from 33 last year. The state has added jobs over-the-year for 11 consecutive months, after 10 years of annual job losses.

Texas, Utah and Oregon tops in the West

Western states that ranked among the top 10 fastest growing included Texas (second), Utah (sixth), and Oregon (ninth). Washington and California, ranking 19th and 20th, both added jobs at a 1.1 percent pace, similar to the national average. Arizona ranked 38th, up eight places from the March ranking of 46.

The Grand Canyon State started to add jobs in January, but employment in April was up only 0.4 percent over the year before. Health care is one of the main drivers of growth in Arizona. April health care employment was up by 4.5 percent, ranking the state second (behind Nevada at 4.7 percent). (Note: the BLS figures for April are not seasonally adjusted and may be subject to revision.)