CT Unemployment Rate Increase

WETHERSFIELD (AP) –– Connecticut’s unemployment rate increased to 5.2 percent for the month of July, the state Department of Labor said this week. It had been at 4.9 percent for June.

Connecticut lost about 12,100 jobs since June, mostly due to a big loss in trade, transportation, utilities, and government sectors, said officials.

The national unemployment rate is 6.2 percent, one percent higher than Connecticut’s.

“Despite the slowdown in our economy, 34 states had higher unemployment rates than Connecticut during the month of June –– a sign that our state continues to show job diversity that has helped us to weather the national recession,” said John Tirinzonie, a state labor economist.

First-time unemployment claims increased by 410 to 4,967 this month, down 161 from this time last year.

Average hourly earnings in the state were $17.85, a 11-cent increase from June and 59 cents over last year.