State Economic Snapshots report shows gains for October

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) released a report on state economies that reflected private sector employment gains and an increase in average hourly earnings for most states in October.

Carolyn Maloney

The State Economic Snapshots report, prepared by the Democratic staff on the JEC, allows state-by-state comparisons across various topics of economic statistics.

“As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving later this week, it is an appropriate time to recognize the economic progress we’ve made recovering from the Great Recession, while also recommitting ourselves to ensuring that all Americans benefit from the recovery,” Maloney said.

The report demonstrated some very positive changes across the United States. Hourly wages have increased in 41 states as well as the District of Columbia between October 2015 and October 2016. The report also found that the unemployment rate fell in 24 states while private-sector employment increased in 33 states during the month of October.

Some of the largest private-sector gains were found in California with over 31,400 new jobs, Michigan had 19,400 new jobs and Texas had 13,300. Private-sector gains were also evaluated on a percentage base, which found New Hampshire, Montana, Michigan, Louisiana and Washington demonstrated the largest gains.