Washington Economy

Washington's Jobless Rate Dips To Four Year Low

Tom Banse — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:04:08 +0000

The unemployment rate in the state of Washington is falling again after being stuck in holding pattern for three months. The state Employment Security Department Wednesday pegged the jobless rate at 7.3 percent. That number for March is down .2 percent from February's rate.

State labor economist Anneliese Vance-Sherman says Washington's unemployment rate is at its lowest point in more than four years.

"The unemployment rate has been declining; it peaked in Dec.

Washington Economic Recovery Hits Milestone

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:55:22 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – If you’re marking milestones in the slow climb out of the Great Recession, here’s a new one: Washington state tax collections have now recovered to pre-recession levels. That was one key takeaway from Wednesday’s quarterly revenue forecast.

In late 2007, the economy went into free fall. For two years, Washington tax revenues plunged. Since 2010 it’s been a slow, steady climb back up.

Washington Jobs Return To Expected Numbers In February

Alexandra Kocik — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:02:54 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state saw a surge of new jobs in January, but job growth was sluggish in February.

Washington Records Unusually Strong Job Gains In January

Tom Banse — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:01:16 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The state of Washington recorded unusually strong job gains in January. That's according to new numbers released Wednesday by the state Employment Department. A regular survey of businesses found more than 24,000 new jobs created.

The state's chief labor economist, Joe Elling, says there's evidence of gathering "momentum" in the economy.

Washington Unemployment Ticks Down

Jessica Robinson — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 23:25:51 +0000

Washington’s jobless rate dropped just slightly in September. State economists Wednesday pegged unemployment at 8.5 percent. That erases a small uptick in August.

Wash. Unemployment Inches Up, But Construction Shows Signs Of Life

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:03:30 +0000

Washington’s idled construction industry continued to show signs of life in August. Nonetheless, the state’s jobless rate still rose slightly. Overall Washington lost 1,100 jobs last month. The new unemployment rate announced Wednesday is 8.6 percent -– up a tenth of a percent from July.

Wash. Jobs, Employment Numbers Contradict

Colin Fogarty — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:11:34 +0000

Washington’s jobs and employment numbers for July contradict each other in the latest figures released Tuesday. Washington gained 5,000 jobs last month. Yet the state’s unemployment rate crept up to 8.5 percent.

Wash. Gains 10,000 Jobs, But Jobless Rate Still 8.3 Percent

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 01:33:28 +0000

Washington has gained back more than half the jobs it lost during the Great Recession. The state reached that benchmark last month with the gain of 10,000 new jobs.

Even so, Washington’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in June at 8.3 percent. That’s because the universe of people actively looking for work is also growing.