County, Hagerstown unemployment rates approach pre-pandemic levels

Unemployment rates fell throughout the Tri-State region in October as companies struggled to fill job openings.

Washington County's unemployment rate was 4.7% in October, according to the Maryland Department of Labor's report released Thursday. It was the lowest rate since 4.5% in March 2020, before the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likewise, Hagerstown's October rate was 6% in October. That was the city's lowest rate since 5.4% in March 2020.

But the labor force — those with jobs plus those looking for work — still is below the highs it hit several years ago. The county's labor force, for example, reached 78,903 in July 2012, according to the state's online figures. It has followed an up-and-down path since then and was 71,730 in October.

Meanwhile, employers as diverse as fast-food restaurants, manufacturing plants, trucking firms and warehousing operations have reported they need workers. A look at the job-search website indeed.com Thursday showed 4,648 full-time and part-time jobs available within a 10-mile radius of Hagerstown.

"The lower unemployment rates locally, as compared to March 2020, is good news, with a caveat. Almost every single employer in Washington County is still looking to hire employees," Paul Frey, president and CEO of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an email Thursday.

He said the county lost "a significant number of restaurant and hotel jobs at the beginning of the pandemic," and many of those positions remain open.

Pointing to concerns about inflation, Frey said higher prices for food, fuel and holiday gifts could lead many to get back into the job market.

Hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality industry "may not be the beneficiaries of the new influx of workers as the competing pay for other industries, like warehouse and distribution, is significantly higher," Frey wrote. "Restaurants, in particular, can only charge so much for their menu items and still retain their respective customer bases.

"All businesses, for the near term, will need to be innovative and creative to solve their respective staffing issues. Longer term, some will have to permanently change how they produce, sell and deliver their goods and services to their customers."

In Washington County

The labor department's newest monthly report listed figures for October and, in some cases, revised numbers for September.

In Washington County, the unemployment rate fell from 5% in September to 4.7% in October. It was 5.7% in October 2020.

The number of employed people rose from 67,436 to 68,349. That figure was 67,136 in October 2020.

The number of people without work dipped from 3,569 to 3,381. It was 4,029 in October 2020.

And labor force total rose from 71,005 to 71,730. It was 71,165 in October 2020.

In Hagerstown

Hagerstown's numbers followed a similar pattern, according to the labor department's report.

The city's jobless rate fell from 6.2% in September to 6% in October. The rate was 8.2% in October 2020.

The number of employed people rose from 16,855 to 17,083. That figure was 16,780 in October 2020.

The number of people without jobs dipped from 1,108 to 1,084. The number was 1,492 in October 2020.

And the city's labor force total rose from 17,963 to 18,167. It was 18,272 in October 2020.

In the state, nation

Maryland's unemployment rate fell from 5.3% in September to 5.1% in October. It was 6.5% in October 2020.

According to the preliminary survey data, Maryland gained 14,900 jobs and recorded its lowest unemployment rate since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland Department of Labor reported in a news release.

October was the strongest month of jobs growth this year for the private sector and was the second-strongest month for jobs growth overall.

All major private sectors experienced job growth in October for the first time since September 2020, the labor department reported.

More than three quarters of Maryland jobs lost at the beginning of the pandemic have been recovered.

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Among Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions, Carroll County had the lowest October jobless rate, at 3.8%. Baltimore city had the highest, at 6.9%.

The rate was 4.3% in Frederick County, 5.4% in Allegany County and 4.6% in Garrett County.

The United States' unemployment rate dropped from 4.8% to 4.6%. It was 6.9% in October 2020.

In Pennsylvania, West Virginia

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in October.

Franklin County’s rate dropped from 4.2% to 3.8%. Fulton County's rate fell from 4.8% to 4.4%.

West Virginia’s rate dropped from 3.2% to 2.9%. It was the lowest rate on record, not adjusted for seasonal factors.

Berkeley County’s rate dropped from 2.4% to 2.1%. The Jefferson County rate fell from 2% to 1.8%. And the Morgan County rate dipped from 2.2% to 2%.

Area jobless rates

The October unemployment rates for area counties:

Washington County: 4.7%, down from 5% in September

Franklin County, Pa.: 3.8%, down from 4.2% in September

Fulton County, Pa.: 4.4%, down from 4.8% in September

Berkeley County, W.Va.: 2.1%, down from 2.4% in September

Jefferson County, W.Va.: 1.8%, down from 2% in September

Morgan County, W.Va.: 2%, down from 2.2% in September

Mike Lewis covers business, the economy and other issues. Follow Mike on Twitter at MiLewis.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Unemployment rates fall in washington county and hagerstown