Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.1 percent in May to 3.8 percent, the lowest in eight years, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.
Virginia’s unemployment rate remains below the national average of 4.7 percent. The seasonally adjusted rate accounts for fluctuations in the job market each year.
However, in May, private sector employment decreased by 7,300 jobs to 3,188,300, while public sector payrolls increase by 1,200 jobs to 714,000. A strike by Verizon Communications Inc. employees accounted for about two-thirds of the decline.
Over the past year, Virginia’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment was up 1.8 percent, or by 67,900 jobs.
