AMHERST, N.Y. — Western New York is in the midst of an impressive growth spurt in the job market.

The state Department of Labor found the Buffalo-Niagara job market added 9,200 jobs in the past year, a growth rate of 1.6 percent. That’s the fastest growth rate across an eight-month period since 1999.

Kelly Cultrara is president of AP Professionals of WNY, a Williamsville-based staffing company, and says this is “one of the most fun times in the market” in her 20-year career. The resurgence in Buffalo is creating a boom in several areas.

Government and education are two big growth areas, in addition to accounting and health care.

“We’re finding with Kaleida Health, Catholic Health system, Roswell Park, health care is booming and it’s only going to get busier,” she said.

At the same time, hundreds of retail jobs have disappeared in the past few years as several major retailers closed their doors. Don’t expect that downswing to last for long, Cultrara said.

“In Western New York, we’ve actually increased jobs in retail, although nationally that has taken a hit,” she said. “I think the way things have been going, spending will be strong this quarter and retail will do well.”