Unemployment Map September 2009
It’s not only the big states that have been hit hard by the economy, says recent government data released on Friday. Several smaller states including Rhode Island, Nevada and Oregon are now experiencing what states like California and Michigan have suffered since 2008: high rates of unemployment. Unemployment topped 12 percent in all five states in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Michigan led the nation in unemployment, with a rate of 15.2%, while Nevada was next at 13.2% and Rhode Island was third at 12.8%. California and Oregon were tied for the fourth spot, each with unemployment at 12.2%.
“The losses tend to be heavy in states that have a high concentration of manufacturing jobs or were hit hard by the housing bust,” said Mark Vitner, economist at Wachovia.
In August, 27 states and the District of Columbia recorded month-over-month unemployment rate increases, while 16 states posted a decrease in unemployment and seven saw rates hold steady.
The overall unemployment rate for the country through the month of August is 9.7% and is expected to rise above 10 percent before the end of the year.
Michigan has suffered more from unemployment than any other state. Unemployment there rose to 15.2 percent in August. It may be time for mid-to-senior level job seekers in Michigan to consider relocating to find work.
Where should you relocate? That will depend on your field, but states with the largest overall growth in job demand include New York, Maryland, Virgina, California, Texas, and Florida — according to the Conference Board who tracks job openings nationally.
For technology-related jobs, New York, Boston, Atlanta and San Francisco have a number of opportunities, but you will also find some in lesser-known areas like Phoenix, Houston and Huntsville, Alabama.
Some positive news for jobs by state is that those who have jobs have seen their wages grow.
(Unemployment Map, September, 2009 by CNN.)
For more on job relocation:
- Relocation: How Far Will You Go for the Perfect Job?
- A Whole New City, A Whole New Industry
- Landing a Job – Without Relocating or Switching Sectors
- Switching Industries: Exec Tells All
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