Labor Force Participation Rate Increased by 0.2 Percentage Points in October

     According to preliminary seasonally adjusted figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 3,700 to 8,063,300 in October 2022. The number of private sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.2% in October 2022.

    New York State's private sector jobs (not seasonally adjusted) increased by 306,400, or 3.9%, over the year in October 2022, which exceeded the 3.8% increase in the number of private sector jobs in the U.S.

    New York State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.3% in September to 4.4% in October 2022. At the same time, New York State's labor force (seasonally adjusted) increased by 15,000. As a result, the labor force participation rate went up from 60.3% in September to 60.5% in October 2022, matching its highest rate since March 2020.

    The number of private sector jobs in New York State is based on a payroll survey of New York businesses conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Monthly payroll employment estimates are preliminary and subject to revision as more complete data become available the following month. The BLS calculates New York State’s unemployment rate based partly upon the results of the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) of approximately 3,100 households in the State.

Note: Seasonally adjusted data are used to provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. Non-seasonally adjusted data are valuable in year-to-year comparisons of the same month – for example, October 2021 versus October 2022.

Statewide Industry Employment

October 2022 – Seasonally Adjusted

• On a net basis, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the state increased by 16,400 over the month, while private sector jobs rose by 3,700, in October 2022.

• At the same time, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the nation increased by 261,000, while private sector jobs increased by 233,000.

NYS Nonfarm Job Growth Matches the Nation's

Over-the-Month % Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, September – October 2022  

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs Increased in October 2022

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs (in 1000s), January 1990 – October 2022

Statewide Unemployment

October 2022 – Seasonally Adjusted

• In October 2022, the statewide unemployment rate increased from 4.3% to 4.4%.
• New York City’s unemployment rate increased from 5.6% to 5.9%. Outside of New York City, the unemployment rate held steady at 3.3%.

• The number of unemployed New Yorkers increased over the month by 10,400, from 404,600 in September to 415,000 in October 2022.

NYS Unemployment increased in October 2022

Labor Force Statistics,  September 2021, September - October 2022

The Labor Force and Number of Unemployed Increased in October

Total Labor Force & Number of Unemployed, January 2009 - October 2022

NYS and US Unemployment Rates Increased

Unemployment Rate, NYS & US, January 2009 - October 2022

Unemployment Rate Increased in NYC, Held Steady in Balance of State

Unemployment Rate, NYC & BOS, January 2009 - October 2022

Substate and Industry Employment 

October 2022 – Not Seasonally Adjusted

New York State Exceeded Nation in Job Growth

Over-the-Year Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, October 2021 – October 2022