State jobless rate takes mild dip in July
August 21, 2009 · 12:39 PM
Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 9.1 percent in July, down from June’s revised rate of 9.2 percent, according to the state Employment Security Department.
The state gained an estimated 4,000 non-agricultural jobs over the month, seasonally adjusted.
Industries with the most job growth included education and health services, with 4,400 new jobs, professional and business services, which added 2,100, and government, up 1,300. Most of the government additions were in local education and tribal employment, while state government employment fell by about 1,300.
Industries with the largest declines were in construction, which cut 3,200 jobs, financial activities, down 1,900, and manufacturing, which lost 900 jobs.
Washington had 123,200 fewer jobs last month than in July 2008, a 4.1 percent decrease. Nationally, employment declined by 4.2 percent over the past year. An estimated 315,853 people (not seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in July. Laid-off workers can apply for unemployment benefits online at esd.wa.gov or call 800-318-6022.
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