Jobs in healthcare sector in high demand
Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Hoosier jobless rates showed improvement in the latest statistics released by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for September.
Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.8% was the lowest of its surrounding states and below the nation’s rate of 3.5%.
Indiana’s labor force participation rate held at 63.4% in September, remaining above the national rate of 62.3%. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,401,036 — a decrease of 707 from the previous month.
Private sector employment in Indiana increased by 10,500 jobs over the last month, translating to a gain of 93,600 jobs from this time last year. Indiana once again is experiencing a peak in private employment, which now stands at 2,773,600. Industries that experienced job increases in September included:
- Leisure and Hospitality (+3,300);
- Professional and Business Services (+2,200);
- Financial Activities (+1,500);
- Construction (+1,400); and
- Private Educational and Health Services (+1,100).
As of Oct. 19, 2022, there were 143,452 open job postings throughout the state. In September, 16,537 people in Indiana received unemployment benefits.
A ranking of the most in-demand jobs indicate a high number of openings in health care with registered nurses, nursing assistants, personal care aides, licensed practical nurses and medical and health services managers listed in the top 10 of available job listings. Also in demand are engineers and stockers/order fillers.
Occupations with the highest percentage of unemployment claims were construction (18.4%) and manufacturing (16.5%).
Looking at unemployment rates around the Radius Indiana region, the eight counties ranged from a low of 1.6% to 2.6%.
Crawford County
Crawford County’s for September was 2.3%. In August, the rate was 3.1 and a year ago September, 2.8% were unemployed. The DWD estimates 4,831 are in the labor force and 4,722 people of working age are employed. A total of 109 are looking for work.
Daviess County
Daviess County’s unemployment rate was 1.6% in September, 87th highest.
down from August when it was 2.2%. A year ago the September rate was 1.9%. A total of 16,235 people are employed and 257 are unemployed and seeking work.
Dubois County
Dubois County had one of the lowest unemployment rates. Its rate of 1.7% was the 83rd highest rate in the state. A year ago, its rate was 1.8%. The labor force has 21,524 people of working age. Of those, 21,155 are employed; 369 are looking for work.
Greene County
Greene County’s rate of 2.5% ranks 11th highest in the state but it still improved from a month ago when the unemployment rate was 3.5%. A total of 13,440 were employed in September and 339 were unemployed and looking for work.
Lawrence County
Lawrence County jobless rate dropped to 2.4% from August when the rate was 3.1%. A year ago, the rate was 2.8%. The number of employed is 20,551 and 500 are seeking jobs.
Martin County
Martin County’s jobless rate is 51st highest in the state at 2%, a decrease from August when the rate was 2.4%. A total of 5,326 are employed in Martin County.
Orange County
Orange County’s rate improved to 2.6% from August when the unemployment rate was 3.5%. A total of 7,851 are in the workforce.
Washington County
Washington County’s rate also improved year to year, improving to 1.9%. One year ago, the jobless rate was 2.4%. A total of 13,688 are employed and 268 are looking for work.