While the national economy continued to slide in July, Pittsburgh’s regional job rate showed solid growth, posting better gains than many benchmark regions in the country according to the Pittsburgh Regional Indicators.
The Pittsburgh region reported 4,300 more jobs in July 2008 compared to July 2007 and had higher job growth than 8 out of 14 benchmark regions, including Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis. Private sector jobs totaled $1,035,600 in July, an increase of 5,400 over July 2007. Only five benchmark cities added private jobs at a higher rate. To read the latest figures in PittsburghToday, click here.
“I think the numbers are very encouraging,” says John Craig, president of Pittsburgh Regional Indicators. “From the very beginning we said we want to measure jobs. Compared to what is going on nationally and among benchmark cities, we’re doing relatively well.”
While the Pittsburgh population has been on the decline, the number of people employed in our region is rising due in part to changes in traditional work practices. “Our labor force is getting back up to being very close to the best days we’ve had in 2001,” Craig adds.
Among the positive notes was the acceleration in Leisure and Hospitality and Administrative and Support Services jobs. Nearly 2,800 jobs were added in these two sectors. Additionally, the Education and Health Services sector continued to post gains, having created 5,300 new jobs in the last 12 months.
Pittsburgh economic prognosticator and columnist Harold Miller agrees in part. “It certainly puts us in a better position than places (in the country) that lose jobs. Part of the reason we’ve stayed ahead is because such a big proportion of our jobs are in healthcare and higher education, economic sectors that are resistant (to a recession).”
The numbers, of course, can be daunting. Meet John Craig and Harold Miller and learn what the numbers really mean at the next CityLIVE event on September 10th.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: John Craig, Harold Miller, Pittsburgh Regional Indicators
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