Regional News

Unemployment rate bottoms out to 3.8 percent; employers add jobs


Mar 18, 2020

Washington’s economy gained 3,500 jobs in February and the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for February was 3.8 percent according to the Employment Security Department.

“Hiring remained solid in February prior to concerns over the COVID-19 virus outbreak” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Our record low unemployment rate is unlikely to last, however, as the economic impacts from containment efforts become more clear.”

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 January’s previously reported unemployment rate of 3.9 was confirmed. January’s preliminary estimated gain of 6,800 jobs was revised to a gain of 7,700 jobs.

The national unemployment rate (preliminary) was 3.5 percent in February 2020. In February 2019, the national unemployment rate (revised) was 3.8 percent.

Private sector employment increased by 2,800 while the public sector increased by 700 jobs in February. This month’s report shows the largest private job growth occurred in construction up 2,800 jobs and professional & business services up 2,500 jobs. Also posting increases were information up 500 jobs and other services up 200 jobs. The eight industries that posted losses were leisure and hospitality down 900 jobs, manufacturing down 700 jobs, wholesale trade down 600 jobs, transportation, warehousing & utilities down 500 jobs, financial activities down 200 jobs and retail trade, mining & logging and education & health services down 100 jobs.


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