Washington lost some 7,000 non-farm jobs in January, pushing the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate up to 7.8 percent, up seven-tenths of a percent from December.
According to the state Employment Security Department, job losses were seen in most industries, but the largest declines were in manufacturing, information services, construction, and motor vehicles and parts dealers.
Industries with the most job growth included merchant wholesalers of nondurable goods, general merchandise retail stores, real estate and rental leasing, and arts, entertainment and recreation.
Asotin County reported 8.9 percent unemployment; Garfield County 7.8 percent; and Whitman County 5 percent.
Department spokesperson Caitlin Cormier says an estimated 303,570 people in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in January.
Department spokesperson Caitlin Cormier comments
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Job seekers can find out about training programs and get help looking for work at the department’s affiliated WorkSource offices across the state. More information is available online at the Employment Security Department’s website.
