From September to December 2024, Connecticut experienced a net loss of 1,524 private-sector jobs, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During this period, gross job losses from closing and contracting establishments totaled 81,141, while gross job gains from opening and expanding establishments reached 79,617.
Acting Regional Commissioner Mark J. Maggi stated that “the difference between the number of gross job gains and the number of gross job losses yielded a net employment loss of 1,524 jobs in the private sector during the fourth quarter of 2024.” In the previous quarter, job losses exceeded gains by 2,891.
Business Employment Dynamics (BED) statistics track changes in employment at private-sector businesses from one quarter to the next. The net change is calculated as the difference between gross job gains and gross job losses.
In Connecticut’s fourth quarter of 2024, gross job losses accounted for 5.6 percent of private-sector employment. Nationally, this figure was slightly higher at 5.7 percent. Contracting establishments in Connecticut lost 62,139 jobs—a decrease compared to the prior quarter—while closing establishments lost 19,002 jobs, which was an increase over the previous period.
Gross job gains represented 5.5 percent of private-sector employment in Connecticut for this quarter; nationally it was 5.8 percent. Expanding establishments contributed a total gain of 65,069 jobs in Connecticut—an increase from the previous quarter—while opening establishments added another 14,548 jobs but saw a decline compared to earlier months.
Six out of ten major industry sectors reported more job losses than gains during this time frame. Professional and business services had the largest net loss with a reduction of 3,684 jobs due to higher gross losses than gains within that sector. Leisure and hospitality posted a net gain of 2,032 jobs—the highest among all sectors analyzed.
The BED data series provide details on both state-level and national trends across industries and employer sizes through resources such as tabled reports and online summaries available on their Business Employment Dynamics homepage and Business Employment Dynamics Summary pages.
The next release covering first-quarter results for 2025 is scheduled for October 29th at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time.
These BED figures are produced through cooperation between federal and state agencies under the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program using existing records maintained by BLS.
Further information about definitions used in these reports—including methodology—is accessible via their technical note documentation or by contacting BLS directly for assistance with accessibility needs.
