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Maryland's third consecutive month of job gains in May was driven in large part by temporary federal census jobs, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Labor. That reflected a national trend for the month, too.

But the state still added 4,800 of the 41,000 private-sector jobs created across the nation last month. Those figures are significant, said Christian S. Johansson, secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

"We had about 10 percent of the private-sector job growth nationally last month and only have about 2 percent of the population," he said.

Following last month's jobs report for April, Johansson had said that one month of job growth was a "fluke," while two consecutive months were "compelling."

"We're at the trend stage," he said of May's job growth. "Maryland is in recovery mode."

Employers in the state added a net 11,200 payroll jobs in May, with gains in almost every category. Federal government positions, many of them census jobs, increased by 7,000. Hotels and restaurants saw a jump of about 3,000, while construction rose by 1,700 jobs.

One of the few sectors that saw a decline in May was private education and health care, which tended to grow during the recession. That category declined by 1,700 last month, including a 1,100-job drop in health care.

May was also the second consecutive month in which Maryland's unemployment rate dropped, down to 7.2 percent from 7.5 percent in April and 7.7 percent in March. The state's rate, which measures residential employment that includes residents who work in another state, was 7.0 percent a year earlier. Maryland has a lower rate than any of its neighbors, except Virginia, and is well below the national unemployment rate of 9.7 percent.

Nevada took over for Michigan as the state with the nation's highest jobless rate at 14.0 percent in May, while North Dakota continued to report the lowest rate, 3.6 percent.

Layoffs slowing?

During May, the number of unemployment claims filings in Maryland fell for the fifth consecutive month to 25,997, a sign that layoffs are slowing. That was 15.5 percent below a year ago and the fewest since September 2008, according to state figures.

Recent layoff notices to the state were given by BP Solar in Frederick for 323 jobs, Office Depot in Odenton for 132 and Capital One Financial in Laurel and Bethesda for 381 positions.

Employers recently adding jobs include investment giant Morgan Stanley, which moved into its new Baltimore offices at Harbor Point, an $800 million multi-use development. The company has about 600 employees there, with plans to add 50 more by the end of the year and hundreds more over the next decade. Executives with Middle River Aircraft Systems, a manufacturing company that is part of GE Aviation, also said this month they plan to add 200 jobs in the next year at the Middle River plant to support the development of brake systems for a redesigned commercial Boeing jet.

Johansson said the state's new job tax credit, which offers employers a $5,000 tax credit for each worker hired off the state's unemployment rolls through the end of the year, is getting more popular. More than 80 businesses have applied for the credit, which launched in March, with some hiring more than 10 employees. Many construction, manufacturers, retailers and technology companies have applied, he said.

DBED is leading a free webinar on the credit program for employers and others at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Participants can access the webinar at www.choosemaryland.org.

BAE showcases new offices

Meanwhile, executives with BAE Systems on Monday led some media members of a tour of its new offices for supporting the Navy Strategic Systems Program, which oversees submarine-based weapons systems, at the Redland Corporate Center in Rockville. The 139,120-square-foot space replaces a larger but less efficient office in Aspen Hill that the company had occupied since 1968, said Ian Rankin, vice president of strategic programs with BAE's technology services unit.

The new space has enhanced conference facilities, offices and amenities such as a gymnasium. BAE signed a 10-year lease.

"This represents a big commitment to us staying in this area," Rankin said. "It's a major investment by the company ... It allows us to give our employees a more modern, efficient environment to work. It also provides our customers with enhanced support."

About 400 engineers and other employees recently moved there from the older Aspen Hill building, and there is enough flex space to accommodate more workers if that is needed, Rankin said. BAE, a British military contractor, has more than 2,000 employees in Maryland.

Programs supported at the facility include the Trident II fleet ballistic missile and the SSGN attack weapon system.

The complex also houses a unit from the National Institutes of Health. BAE's North American headquarters remain at 1601 Research Blvd., Rockville.