INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 21, 2016) – Hoosier businesses added 10,100 new jobs in September, bringing Indiana’s total private sector employment to more than 2.65 million, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
“In Indiana, we are home to a business climate that ranks first in the Midwest and fifth in the nation because we have worked diligently to create a pro-growth economic environment while investing in our Hoosier workforce and regions,” said Victor Smith, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “Across the state, we are seeing growth in industries like advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, aerospace and defense, life sciences and technology, helping to create more than 161,000 new jobs since January 2013. Job creators like Knowledge Services, Kohl’s, MOBI, Pretzels and American Air Filter are committing to grow and hire even more Hoosiers over the next few years because the benefits of doing business in a state that works are clear.”
- Unemployment: The state’s unemployment rate remained at 4.5 percent in September – below the national average of 5 percent and below all of Indiana’s neighboring states. Indiana’s unemployment rate is down 3.9 percent since January 2013, surpassing the nation’s decline of 3 percent.
- Job Growth: Indiana businesses have added 161,800 new jobs since January 2013. The state’s private sector job growth has increased by 14.3 percent since July 2009, surpassing the nation’s growth of 13.3 percent. September marks the 15th consecutive month that private sector employment has remained above Indiana’s previous employment record from March 2000.
- Labor Force: Indiana’s labor force, which includes both Hoosiers who are employed and those seeking employment, has increased by 104,214 over the last year. At 65.4 percent, the state’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of Hoosiers that are either employed or actively seeking work – remains above the national rate of 62.9 percent.
- Wage Growth: From quarter 1 to quarter 2 of 2016, Indiana personal income increased by 1.1 percent, ranking No. 11 in the nation and outpacing the overall U.S. growth rate. The average wage of employed Hoosiers has grown by nearly 25 percent since 2005, increasing from $17.05/hour in 2005 to $21.21/hour in 2015. Additionally, the average wage of jobs committed to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation this year is $25.54/hour, which is 20.4 percent above the state’s average.
