Updated
Updated · Fox Baltimore · Aug 21
Maryland Adds 11,700 July Jobs as Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.2%
Updated
Updated · Fox Baltimore · Aug 21

Maryland Adds 11,700 July Jobs as Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.2%

3 articles · Updated · Fox Baltimore · Aug 21

Summary

  • Maryland added 11,700 jobs in July, with private employers contributing 10,900 of the gain as the state unemployment rate edged down to 4.2%.
  • Health care and social assistance led hiring with 4,800 jobs, followed by professional and technical services at 3,000 and accommodation and food services at 1,400.
  • Retail trade posted the biggest decline, losing 1,200 jobs, while information and other services each shed 300 and construction lost 200.
  • June payroll growth was revised up to 1,200 jobs from 900, bringing Maryland's 2026 job gains to 29,800 through July, or 1.1% growth versus 0.3% nationally.
  • Maryland's labor force participation rate slipped to 63.8% but remained above the U.S. rate of 61.4%, while its jobless rate stayed slightly higher than the national 4.1%.

Insights

What hidden economic shifts are causing Maryland's retail sector to bleed jobs while technical and manufacturing roles skyrocket?
Could the lingering effects of regional federal job losses eventually derail Maryland's current private sector hiring boom?
Why is Maryland's restaurant sector still struggling below pre-pandemic levels despite a sudden surge in hospitality hiring this July?