The Department of Workforce Services announced Wednesday that Utah is #2 in employment growth for the country.
In an economic summary released by Utah Governor Gary Herbert, “Utah’s non-agricultural employment increased an estimated 2.8 percent, or 33,300 jobs, between September 2010 and September 2011. Nationally, employment increased 1.1 percent, or 1.49 million jobs, from September 2010 to September 2011.”
Overall, average pay increased 2.9 percent and unemployment is expected to drop nearly 1 percent from 2011 to 2012.
The economic summary states, “Utah typically grows more rapidly than the nation after recessions, and this pattern is taking hold in the current recovery. For the U.S., employment grew 0.9 percent in 2011, compared to 2.3 percent for Utah. While employment increased during 2011, Utah’s unemployment rate remained at 8 percent, where it was in 2010. Though housing stabilized, with building permits at 8,700 in 2011, home-building is not leading the economy as it does during a typical recovery.”
Population-wise, Utah has grown 23.8 percent since 2000, bringing Utah to the third fastest-growing state in the nation. Since 2010, Utah’s population grew 1.5% and is expected to increase into 2012.
For the governor’s full economic summary and outlook on Utah, visit this link.
