Washington’s economy picked up some steam in January, adding an estimated 12,400 jobs – the first monthly gain since November 2008.
The state unemployment rate remained relatively flat, inching up to an estimated 9.3 percent from December’s revised rate of 9.2 percent. December’s rate was earlier estimated at 9.5 percent, but was revised downward after more analysis.
Jamie Swift with the state Employment Security Department says the largest number of seasonally adjusted job gains occurred in retail trade, educational and health services, construction, leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, manufacturing, information, wholesale trade, and aerospace and parts manufacturing.
ESD’s Jamie Swift comments on adding jobs in January.
Industries that shed jobs in January included transportation, warehousing and utilities, and other services.
Year over year, Washington had 107,800 fewer jobs in January 2010 than in January 2009, a 3.7 percent decrease. Nationally, employment declined by 3 percent over the past year.
An estimated 359,500 people in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in January. (Employment Security Department)
