Washington adds 7,100 jobs in June; unemployment rate holds steady at 4.9%

Washington state's economy showed modest growth in June, adding an estimated 7,100 jobs, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.9% for the second consecutive month, according to the latest report from the state's Employment Security Department.

Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist for the Employment Security Department, noted the stability in the unemployment rate despite recent trends. "The unemployment rate has been climbing slowly over the past several months but held steady over the month and has remained below 5% since summer 2021," she said. "Washington businesses collectively added about 7,000 new jobs in June — with a great deal of variation by industry."

The report indicates that 57,888 people received unemployment benefits in June, a decrease of 3,449 from the previous month. This decline was attributed to reduced claims in sectors such as agriculture and construction.

While Washington's unemployment rate remained unchanged, the national unemployment rate saw a slight increase from 4.0% in May to 4.1% in June. This compares to a revised national rate of 3.6% in June 2023.

The state's labor force experienced minimal change, with a small increase of 2,342 people, bringing the total to 4,019,076 in June. However, the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region saw a decrease of 4,393 in its labor force during the same period.

Industry-wise, the private sector added 6,600 jobs, while government employment increased by 500 jobs. Construction led the gains with 2,400 new positions, followed by professional and business services with 1,800, and other services with 1,400.

Not all sectors saw growth, however. Manufacturing experienced the largest decline, shedding 1,100 jobs, while education and health services, retail trade, and information sectors also reported losses.

Year-over-year data shows Washington gained an estimated 51,000 jobs from June 2023 to June 2024. The education and health services sector led this growth with 22,800 new jobs, followed by government with 18,800, and professional and business services adding 5,400 positions.

The Employment Security Department continues to provide support through the WorkSource system, offering employment and training assistance to job seekers and businesses across the state.

As Washington navigates its economic landscape, the stable unemployment rate and modest job growth provide a mixed picture of the state's labor market heading into the second half of 2024.