May 2011 Indiana Employment Report

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana's preliminary seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remained at 8.2 percent in May. The U.S. rate rose to 9.1 percent this month. Indiana continues to be below the national average and that of all neighboring states for the fourth month in a row. Private sector employment increased by 1,700 in May.

"The steady improvement in the unemployment rate means the state is no longer eligible for a portion of the federally funded extended benefits," said Mark W. Everson, Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. "As a result, Hoosiers will be eligible for up to 93 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits instead of 99 weeks. This is still well above the maximum amount of benefits offered in any previous recession, the highest being 55 weeks in 1983."

Due to the state's three month average unemployment rate falling below 8.5 percent, weeks 73-79 of unemployment benefits, also known as tier four, are no longer available. Only states with a three month average unemployment rate above 8.5 percent are eligible. Hoosiers currently receiving these benefits will be allowed to finish, but new claims will not be accepted beginning Sunday, July 10, 2011. Individuals who exhaust tier three after this date may apply for an additional 20 weeks of extended benefits. More information is available at www.in.gov/dwd/.

Employment by Sector

Sectors showing significant employment gains in May include: Private Education and Health Services (1,900), Financial Activities (1,900), Leisure and Hospitality (1,400) and Construction (500). The Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-3,400) and Government (-6,900) sectors showed significant decline. Total non-farm employment decreased (-5,200) in May.

Midwest Employment Picture

	May 2010	April 2011	May 2011	Monthly Change
Indiana	10.4%	8.2%	8.2%	0.0%
U.S.	9.6%	9.0%	9.1%	+0.1%
Illinois	10.5%	8.7%	8.9%	+0.2%
Kentucky	10.4%	10.0%	9.8%	-0.2%
Michigan	12.8%	10.2%	10.3%	+0.1%
Ohio	10.2%	8.6%	8.6%	0.0%

EDITOR'S NOTE: April 2011 private sector employment was revised upward (600) from the preliminary estimate. The June Employment Report will be released on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Links to the data used to compile the monthly employment report are listed below: