ALBANY -  New York State's economy added 15,400 private sector jobs, or 0.2%, in June 2012, the State Labor Department reported today.  By comparison, the nation’s private sector job count increased by 84,000, or 0.1%. Since the beginning of the state’s economic recovery in November 2009, New York State has added 342,600 private sector jobs and regained all of the private sector jobs it lost during the recession.  The state’s private sector job count now stands at 7,327,100.

New York State’s labor force grew by 105,000 since July 2011, as people have more confidence in the economy. The growth in the labor force contributed to a rise in the state’s unemployment rate, from 8.6% in May 2012 to 8.9% in June 2012. 

When more jobseekers enter or re-enter the labor market due to renewed confidence about finding employment, an area’s unemployment rate temporarily rises.

“The state’s private sector employers continued to add jobs in June 2012”, said Bohdan Wynnyk, Deputy Director of the Division of Research and Statistics.  “The latest job statistics show that while New York has regained all of the private sector jobs it lost during the state’s recession, the U.S. has only recouped 42% of its lost jobs.  In recent months, growth in our statewide labor force, however, has contributed to a higher state jobless rate,”