Washington unemployment rates in December

unemployment

Washington state’s unemployment rate fell to a new record low last month, as payroll employment expanded.

According to the Employment Security DepartmentWashington’s economy gained nearly 11,000 jobs in December and the state’s seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.3 percent – its lowest level ever, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics historical records dating to 1976.

The state’s labor force in December increased over the month by 16,700, totaling 3.956 million.

Ten industry sectors expanded and three contracted.

The largest gains were reported in retail trade; professional and business services; other services; construction; government; and manufacturing. Also posting increases were education and health services; information; leisure and hospitality; and transportation, warehousing, and utilities.

The three industry sectors that posted losses were wholesale trade; financial activities; and mining and logging. Meanwhile, year-over-year growth in payroll employment picked up, as Washington added an estimated 77,000 new jobs from December 2018 through December 2019.  (Employment Security Department)

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