CBIA Response to August 2026 Employment Report

The state’s largest business organization issued the following response to today’s release of the August 2026 employment report.   

“Once again, the real story from the monthly jobs report lies with the labor force and total employment numbers,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.   

“Another 4,100 people dropped out of the labor force in August, bringing 12-month declines to 54,000, or -2.8%. 

“Total employment—which includes payroll jobs, along with farm workers, independent contractors, and the self-employed—fell by another 2,000 jobs in August and is down by 72,400 or 3.9% year-over-year. 

“And while the unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a point, it remains elevated—a full percentage point above the national rate for the eighth consecutive month. 

“Private-sector average hourly earnings did hit $39.55 in August, well above the national average of $37.45, although Connecticut’s high cost of living remains a challenge for employees and employers. 

“Poll after poll—including the CBIA Foundation’s consumer outlook survey, released last week—show that the state’s high cost of living is the top concern for voters of all political stripes and persuasion. 

“Too many working families say the cost of housing, healthcare, energy, and childcare makes it harder every year to make Connecticut work for them. 

“Candidates for elected office must focus on policy solutions that will make it easier for families to stay in Connecticut and build their lives and easier for businesses to hire, grow, and keep good jobs here.” 

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CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with thousands of member companies, small and large, representing a diverse range of industries from every part of the state. For more information, please contact Scott Beaulieu (860.244.1929).