• The most recent jobs report showed that in April 2022, Maryland lost a total of 500 Total Nonfarm jobs.
  • The official unemployment rate for Maryland decreased to 4.2 percent.

According to the most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Maryland lost a total of 500 Total Nonfarm jobs in April 2022. This was the result of a loss of 2,200 Total Private jobs and an offsetting gain of 1,700 Total Government positions. In addition, the unemployment rate decreased to 4.2 percent in April.

Between March and April, the largest subsector gain was seen in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, with an increase of 2,300 jobs. This was followed by a gain of 1,400 jobs in Other Services and a gain of 1,000 jobs in State Government.The most significant losses over the month occurred in Retail Trade, which dropped by 2,500 jobs, and in Accommodation and Food Services, which declined by 2,200 positions. There was also a significant loss of 1,400 jobs in the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation subsector.

Maryland’s job growth between March and April was very poor when compared to other states in the country, ranking 45th out of the 50 states and Washington, DC. In fact, Maryland was one of only 8 states that lost jobs in April. All of the other states in the Mid-Atlantic region added jobs in April, putting Maryland last among its neighbors. Despite the significant decline in Maryland’s unemployment rate, the state only improved to a tie for 38th among all states. Within the region, Maryland’s unemployment rate is lower than Delaware, Pennsylvania, and DC, but lags far behind Virginia at a rate of 3.0 percent for April.

Between issues with the supply chain, continued inflation, poor overall growth, and the ongoing effects of both the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine, Maryland’s immediate economic future remains uncertain. With the situation evolving quickly, stay tuned for more updates on how employment is changing across Maryland, the region, and the country.