Connecticut Jobless Rate Remains Steady at 5.2 Percent

Connecticut's unemployment rate remained steady at 5.2 percent in July, according to data released by the state Department of Labor. This marks the seventh consecutive month where the state's jobless rate has exceeded the national average.

The national rate stood at 4.1 percent, a slight decrease from June's 4.2 percent and down two-tenths of a percentage point from July 2025's 4.3 percent. The gap between Connecticut's unemployment rate and the national rate has grown over the course of 2026.

Despite the higher jobless rate, the state saw an increase in nonfarm payrolls, with employers adding 2,800 jobs in July, a 0.2 percent increase. This brings total nonfarm employment to 1,730,500, marking a new all-time high for the state.

The government sector lost 200 jobs in July and is down 1,700 positions over the year, driven in part by federal job losses. Federal government employment in Connecticut is down 900 jobs from a year ago.