Hudson Valley Job Market Continues Tight

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The New York State Department of Labor recently released preliminary local area unemployment rates for August 2023, and the data shows the job market continues to be tight in the Hudson Valley.

"In the wake of the economic uncertainty generated by the pandemic, many businesses report that they continue to struggle with filling open positions," New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said when releasing the DOL's annual workforce survey in early September.

Last month, the county-by-county unemployment rate was:

• Dutchess: 3.3 percent
• Orange: 3.5 percent
• Putnam: 3.3 percent
• Rockland: 3.3 percent
• Ulster: 3.5 percent
• Westchester: 3.5 percent

New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 3.9 percent in August.

In the region's three metro areas, the jobless rate was the same as in August 2022:

• Dutchess-Putnam: 3.3 percent
• Kingston: 3.5 percent
• Orange-Rockland-Westchester: 3.5 percent

Labor force data for the current month are preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available the following month. Revised estimates for prior months are available at: https://dol.ny.gov/local-area-unemployment-statistics

The Labor Department's 2023 Workforce Development Survey found workers continue to say that flexibility in their job is the number one priority, while attracting new employees and retaining current workers remain the top challenges for businesses.

The annual survey, which is done in partnership with Empire State Development and the New York State Business Council, started in 2021 as an effort to understand the needs of both workers seeking employment and employers in a post-pandemic economy. Gathering responses from over 2,400 businesses and 8,200 individuals, the survey is comprehensive on the specific needs of businesses and job seekers statewide.

"Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we use what we’ve learned from this collaborative survey to understand the changes that have occurred in the labor market and develop effective strategies to match people to careers," Reardon said.