New employment numbers indicate construction workers are finding a lot more jobs in the four-county Sacramento region.
The data show, out of all job sectors, construction led both month-over-month and year-over-year gains. Between April and May, construction added 2,500 jobs. Year-over-year it was 5,500.
Meanwhile, between April and May, combined employment in the Sacramento region increased by 2,800 to total 942,800 jobs.
"And that actually, the total all-industries, is the largest we've seen since 2000," says Cara Welch with the state Employment Development Department.
"The unemployment rate in the greater Sacramento area was 4.7 percent in May, down from a revised 5.1 percent in April 2016 and below the year ago estimate of 5.7 percent," says Welch.
She says May's 4.7-percent unemployment rate is a nine-year low.
Job gains in retail, education, health care and other sectors were offset by month-over-month losses in three industries: leisure and hospitality (down 3,300 jobs), manufacturing (down by 400 jobs) and financial activities (down 100 jobs).
Meanwhile in California, the jobless rate also ticked down during the month of May, according to new state numbers.
The unemployment rate dropped in the state from 5.3 percent in April down to 5.2 percent. The state added 15,000 non-farm jobs, which is a dip from last month.
"Any given month tells you part of the story, but what’s important here is to look for trends," says UC Berkeley Labor Center Chair Ken Jacobs. "The trend here is declining unemployment and employment growth."
The report marks the 68th month in a row without a rise in the state unemployment rate--more than five and a half years.
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