Employment by the Numbers: May 2011
Find the most recent state and city unemployment rates, salary information and industry updates all in one place. Every month we will compile the employment statistics and numbers that matter to you.
Unemployment Statistics
National Unemployment Rate:9.1%
History of National Unemployment Rates (2008 - 2011)
- | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 9.1 | |||||||
2010 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.6 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 9.4 |
2009 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 10.2 | 10.0 | 10.0 |
2008 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.2 |
State With Highest Unemployment Rate: 13.2% (Nev.)
State With Lowest Unemployment Rate: 3.6% (N.D.)
City With Highest Unemployment Rate: 24.6% (El Centro, Calif.)
City With Lowest Unemployment Rate: 4.1% (Lincoln, Neb.)
Number of Reported Unemployed Persons: 13.9 million
Number of Long-Term Unemployed (27+ Weeks): 6.2 million
Number of Discouraged Workers (gave up looking for work): 822,000
Earning Statistics
Average Hourly Earnings:$22.98
Federal Minimum Wage: $7.25
Highest State Minimum Wage: $8.67 (Washington)
Lowest State Minimum Wage: $6.15 (Minnesota)
Average Workweek: 34.4 hours
Industry Information
Industries With Most Job Growth:
Industry With Least Job Growth:
Latest Employment News
Job Seekers Should Look to Pockets of Good News Amid Weak May Job Numbers
Jobs Forecast: June Gloom Sets In, Employment Drought Continues
Sources: