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Connecticut Economy
Unemployment was 5.1% in Sep 2026, the 50th lowest of 51 states. Personal income averages $95,067 per person.
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%
- +0.9 pts in a year
- Labor force
- 1,882,270
- -2.6% in a year
- Income per person
- $95,067
- BEA, 2024
- Average annual pay
- $90,982
- QCEW, 2025
Unemployment rate in Connecticut
Monthly, seasonally adjusted, compared with the U.S.
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| Period | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 5.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 4.3% |
| Dec 2024 | 3.5% |
| Dec 2023 | 3.3% |
| Dec 2022 | 3.5% |
| Dec 2021 | 5.0% |
| Dec 2020 | 7.4% |
| Dec 2019 | 3.7% |
| Dec 2018 | 3.7% |
| Dec 2017 | 4.3% |
| Dec 2016 | 4.6% |
| Dec 2015 | 5.3% |
| Dec 2014 | 6.1% |
| Dec 2013 | 7.4% |
| Dec 2012 | 8.3% |
Beta
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics ยท Last updated 09/01/2026
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Counties in Connecticut
Unemployment (Sep 2026, not seasonally adjusted), income per person (BEA) and average pay (QCEW). Largest labor force first.
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| # | County | Unemployment | 1 year | Labor force | Income per person | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capitol Planning Region | 5.2% | +1.2 pts | 514,931 | $82,719 | $84,680 |
| 2 | Western Connecticut Planning Region | 4.5% | +1.0 pts | 336,154 | $165,513 | $135,554 |
| 3 | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 5.2% | +1.2 pts | 302,455 | $73,967 | $80,015 |
| 4 | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 5.7% | +1.2 pts | 233,924 | $72,474 | $72,829 |
| 5 | Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 5.9% | +1.4 pts | 170,631 | $106,897 | $77,993 |
| 6 | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 4.6% | +0.8 pts | 141,913 | $64,845 | $74,404 |
| 7 | Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | 4.2% | +0.8 pts | 95,372 | $87,273 | $73,241 |
| 8 | Northwest Hills Planning Region | 4.2% | +0.7 pts | 60,949 | $83,433 | $66,244 |
| 9 | Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 4.9% | +0.7 pts | 50,795 | $67,025 | $60,440 |
Jobs and pay by industry in Connecticut
Private employers, annual average 2025 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
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| Industry | Jobs | 1-year change | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 300,225 | +3.0% | $69,183 |
| Retail trade | 164,369 | -0.7% | $46,829 |
| Manufacturing | 152,800 | -1.9% | $105,014 |
| Accommodation and food services | 127,095 | +0.9% | $32,496 |
| Professional and technical services | 102,122 | +0.7% | $145,598 |
| Finance and insurance | 95,970 | -0.5% | $244,633 |
| Administrative and support services | 88,873 | +0.3% | $71,152 |
| Educational services | 67,230 | +1.9% | $84,632 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 67,059 | +2.1% | $61,181 |
| Wholesale trade | 59,891 | -1.8% | $133,517 |
| Other services | 56,856 | +0.1% | $52,330 |
| Management of companies | 30,475 | -2.1% | $208,602 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 29,365 | +2.0% | $41,279 |
| Real estate and rental | 19,472 | -0.4% | $93,350 |
| Utilities | 5,412 | +3.4% | $162,552 |
Government employs 223,481 people (13.2% of all jobs): 17,965 federal, 64,450 state and 141,066 local.
Output and businesses in Connecticut
Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau
- GDP
- $357B
- 2024, current dollars
- Real GDP growth
- +1.0%
- Adjusted for inflation
- Employer businesses
- 89,234
- 1,536,698 employees
- Health care and social assistance11,96113.4%
- Retail trade11,69613.1%
- Other services9,31110.4%
- Professional and technical services9,27510.4%
- Accommodation and food services9,05010.1%
- Construction8,1529.1%
- Finance and insurance5,6296.3%
- Administrative and support services5,4046.1%
- Wholesale trade3,7394.2%
- Manufacturing3,7354.2%
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts; Census County Business Patterns 2023
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the unemployment rate in Connecticut?
- Connecticut's unemployment rate was 5.1% in Sep 2026, seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.2% for the U.S.
- Which county in Connecticut has the highest unemployment?
- Greater Bridgeport Planning Region has the highest rate at 5.9%, and Northwest Hills Planning Region has the lowest at 4.2% (not seasonally adjusted).
- What is the largest industry in Connecticut?
- Health care and social assistance is the largest private employer with 300,225 jobs, followed by retail trade (164,369) and manufacturing (152,800).
- What is the average salary in Connecticut?
- The average annual pay for jobs covered by unemployment insurance in Connecticut was $90,982 in 2025, or $1,750 a week.
- How big is Connecticut's economy?
- Connecticut's GDP was $357B in 2024, about $97,096 per resident.