The ongoing economic crisis drove Maryland unemployment to its highest level in 12 years, leaving tens of thousands of workers out of work.
Statewide, unemployment reached 5 percent in October, according to data released Friday, up 0.4 percent from September and 1.4 percent from October 2007.
That rate is the highest since April 1996, according to the state Department of Business and Economic Development.
“I think we’re all concerned,” said DBED Secretary David Edgerley said.
“These are real, trying times; there are challenges out there. The message is that Maryland is so well-positioned to weather this storm but also to come out of it earlier and stronger than just about any other jurisdiction.”
Maryland’s blue collar jobs bore the brunt of the month’s downturn.
The construction industry lost 3,700 jobs since October 2007, and the manufacturing sector lost 4,700 jobs.
But government employment increased by 6,800 jobs, and the education and health services industry added 9,700 jobs.
Maryland employers have added 22,800 jobs during the past year, according to DBED, second only to Texas.
In the past year, the United States has lost 1.18 million jobs, DBED said.
The national unemployment rate jumped to 6.5 percent in September.
Michigan, and Rhode Island reported the highest unemployment rates with 9.3 percent each; South Dakota and Wyoming were the lowest at 3.3 percent.
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