Regional News

State unemployment rate falls again

Nov 14, 2018

Washington’s economy added 12,400 jobs in October and the state’s seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for October was 4.3 percent according to the Employment Security Department. The October unemployment rate decreased slightly from the September 2018 unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, which establishes a new historical low point for the state. The figures released are preliminary and are subject to revisions.

“The state’s labor market is continuing to tighten,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “The state U-6 unemployment rate, a broader measure of joblessness, also fell in October to a new series low.

The Employment Security Department released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that September’s previously reported unemployment rate of 4.4 was confirmed. However, September’s preliminary estimated gain of 4,500 jobs was revised upward to a gain of 8,300 jobs.

The national unemployment rate remained constant at 3.7 percent in October.

Private sector employment increased by 8,800 while the public sector added 3,600 jobs in October. This month’s report shows the greatest private job growth occurred in construction up 2,500 jobs, leisure & hospitality up 1,400 jobs, information up 1,300 jobs and financial activities, manufacturing and professional & business services each up 1,000 jobs.

Other sectors adding jobs were other services up 800 jobs, wholesale trade up 700 jobs, transportation, warehousing & utilities up 600 jobs, education & health services up 400 jobs and mining & logging up 100 jobs.

Only the retail trade sector experienced a loss of 2,000 jobs.