DLT reports 1,800 more R.I. jobs in 1Q than previously estimated

RHODE ISLAND'S nonfarm jobs totaled 477,100 in March, 1,800 more than originally estimated, according to the R.I. Department of Labor and Training. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING
RHODE ISLAND'S nonfarm jobs totaled 477,100 in March, 1,800 more than originally estimated, according to the R.I. Department of Labor and Training. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING

PROVIDENCE – After analyzing tax data from 32,000 businesses, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training announced Thursday that there were 1,800 more Rhode Island-based jobs in the first quarter than originally estimated.

Total nonfarm jobs in the Ocean State totaled 477,100 as of the end of March, the DLT said, more than the 475,300 jobs originally reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for that period.

Based on this new estimate, the DLT reported a year-over-year gain of 7,700 private-sector jobs in the first quarter of 2014, compared with the 5,900 year-over-year gain previously reported by the BLS.

“Job growth in Rhode Island continues to steadily move in the right direction, as evidenced by the 2014 first quarter tax data, which shows better than estimated positive movement,” said Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee in a statement. “We are seeing this progress because of our investment and dedication to education, infrastructure and workforce development – the building blocks of a strong economy.”

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DLT Director Charles J. Fogarty added that the state’s economy has gained 21,200 total jobs since the recession ended in August 2009, of which 15 percent were in high-wage industries, 48 percent were in mid-wage industries and 37 percent were in low-wage industries.

The DLT’s revised analysis showed upward revisions in eight sectors, most notably in health care and social assistance, which added 800 more jobs than previously estimated. Retail and wholesale trade collectively added 700 more jobs, while the manufacturing and information industries each added 200 more jobs. Financial activities, accommodation and food services, and other services each added 100 more jobs.

Three sectors saw downward revisions following the DLT analysis, with construction adding 200 fewer jobs in the first quarter than previously reported, while professional and business services added 100 fewer jobs, as did the arts, entertainment and recreation industry.

Quarterly estimates are considered to have a smaller margin of error than the monthly estimates the department produces with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which are based upon a sample of 1,700 employers.

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