WASHINGTON — Maryland’s unemployment rate remains above the national average at 4.3 percent, but the state reversed an April job loss by gaining 4,600 jobs in May.
Virginia’s employment base grew by a seasonably adjusted rate 6,200 in May, and the Commonwealth’s jobless rate fell to 3.2 percent, below a two decade-low national average.
Virginia’s payroll count topped a record 4 million in May.
The nation’s unemployment rate in May fell to 3.8 percent, the lowest since 2000. The Federal Reserve now forecasts the nationwide unemployment rate to fall to 3.6 percent by the end of the year.
Job growth in Virginia continues to outpace Maryland, with 53,000 jobs created in the last 12 months, compared to 12,700 in Maryland.
Hawaii had the nation’s lowest state unemployment rate in May at 2 percent.
Alaska had the highest state unemployment rate in May at 7.2 percent.
