CT Dept. of Labor: Job Numbers Reach New Highs in September; Unemployment Rate Remains 5.1%
(Wethersfield, CT) – Connecticut employers added an estimated 1,400 jobs in September, according to the latest labor situation report released today by CT Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo. September’s job growth brings total employment to a new high of 1,731,600 and private sector employment to a new high of 1,496,700. The state’s unemployment rate remained stable at 5.1%. August job numbers were revised to 600 jobs lost.
“September was a solid month for Connecticut with employers across six industry supersectors adding jobs,” said Commissioner Bartolomeo. “CTDOL continues to monitor the impact of inflation and energy costs on the state’s economy; however, Connecticut is well positioned for another growth year in 2026.”
“Connecticut’s economy has been outperforming the national economy and September widened that gap,” said CTDOL Director of Research Patrick Flaherty. “It’s likely we’ll see job growth fluctuations in upcoming reports, but the trends across economic indicators are positive.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE REPORT
- To date in 2026, Connecticut’s 0.9% job growth rate is more than twice the national rate of 0.4%.
- Manufacturing, currently at 157,700 jobs, has added 6,500 jobs this year, more jobs than any other industry.
- As expected, private education jobs rebounded after a down month in August. It’s likely that a late Labor Day impacted reporting in that sector in August.
- Administrative & Support Services, a sector that includes services to buildings and dwellings such as landscaping and snowplowing, most likely lost jobs in September due to the season change.
- The state’s unemployment rate has remained stable for six months and was unchanged at 5.1%; unemployment claim filings are below this time last year.
- Connecticut’s labor force increased by 3,500 in September. At 62.1%, the state’s labor force participation rate is 0.3% higher than the national average.
VIDEO WITH DIRECTOR FLAHERTY
#DOLDaily: Major Takeaways from the September report
The federal Jobs Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) by state is now produced annually rather than monthly. Help Wanted Online, a survey of online job postings, shows more than 90,000 jobs posted in Connecticut. CTDOL notes that postings for remote jobs may appear in multiple geographic areas. Additionally, employers may not be immediately hiring for all posted positions.
The October 2026 labor situation report will be released on November 19, 2026.
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For Immediate Release: October 19, 2026
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