New York State Economy Adds 34,400 Private Sector Jobs in November

ALBANY, NY.- New York State's economy gained 34,400 private sector jobs in November 2011, the State Labor Department reported today. Since the state's economic recovery began in November 2009, New York has recouped 61%, or 202,700, of the private sector jobs lost during the 2008-2009 recession.

The state's unemployment rate increased over the month, from 7.9% in October to 8.0% in November 2011. One factor contributing to the increase in the state's unemployment rate was an increase in the size of the statewide labor force, which grew by 9,900 as more people re-entered the job market to look for work.

"The New York State economy added 34,400 private sector jobs in November 2011. This was the state's second largest monthly gain in private sector jobs since our economic recovery began in November 2009," said Bohdan M. Wynnyk, Deputy Director of the Division of Research and Statistics.

Note: The data above are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. Non-seasonally adjusted data are valuable in year-to-year comparisons of the same month; for example, November 2010 versus November 2011.

1) Unemployment rates (seasonally adjusted):

In November 2011, New York State's unemployment rate was 8.0%, up slightly from October 2011's level of 7.9%. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped over the month -- from 9.0% in October to 8.6% in November 2011.

Unemployment Rates (%)*