The challenge of finding qualified workers to fill open jobs is illustrated by the fact that just over a quarter of states saw employment increase in May.
Why it matters: The closely watched national employment report released on June 4 — which showed U.S. employers added 559,000 jobs in May — does not capture how uneven the labor market recovery has been.
By the numbers: According to new data dropped by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday, just 14 states reported a statistically significant increase in jobs during the period.
- Wyoming was the only state to shed jobs in May.
Be smart: A lack of job creation would be much worse if it were the result of a lack of demand for workers. But all signs suggest demand is strong and it’s the supply of labor that’s lagging.