Vermont jobs exceed pre-recession levels
The total number of jobs in Vermont finally exceeded the previous high, reached in the summer of 2007, before the recession began. The latest figures show there were 311,700 non-farm payroll jobs in November, an increase of 3,600 from October. Most new jobs—2,200—were in the accommodations and food services sector. The number of employed Vermonters also rose last 
month, to 336,546.
Shrinking jobless claims
At the low point of the recession, in 2009, an average 5,500 Vermonters a month were being laid off and signing up for unemployment compensation. So far this year, initial claims have averaged about 3,000 a month. In November 15,231 Vermonters were unemployed—that is, without a job and actively seeking work. Fewer than half, about 6,300, received unemployment benefits in the final week of November.
Closing wage gap
The good news: The wage gap between men and women was smaller in Vermont than any other state in 2013. Also positive: It closed, in part, because female workers were earning more per hour last year. The bad news: Men’s median hourly wage fell in 2013, narrowing the gap. For both sexes, after adjusting for inflation, the median wage was lower in 2013 than in 2009. Half of workers earn more than median, half earn less.
