State unemployment rate jumps to 7.8 percent

Published 12:10 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2009

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The state’s estimated unemployment rate hit 7.8 percent last month, surpassing the national unemployment rate for the first time since the end of 2006.

The preliminary national unemployment rate for January was 7.6 percent.

The rate was calculated by the Employment Security Department. Data is normally provided from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, but that information was delayed due to a computer project.

Last year at this time, Washington’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent. The state had 56,000 fewer jobs last month than in January 2008, a 1.9 percent decrease. Nationally, employment declined 2.9 percent over the past year.

An estimated 303,570 people are seeking work in the state.

Declines were seen across most industries. Manufacturing cut 4,900 jobs, information services were down 3,300, construction was down 2,400 and motor vehicle and parts dealers were down 1,400. Truck transportation dropped 1,300, merchant wholesalers of durable goods were down 1,000, computer-system design and related services cut 1,000 jobs and accommodation and food services lost 900.

There was job growth in some areas, including 1,000 new jobs with merchant wholesalers of nondurable goods, and 1,100 new jobs at general merchandise retail stores. Real estate and rental leasing was up 800 jobs and arts, entertainment and recreation had 1,100 new jobs.

Economic report: www.workforceexplorer.com/cgi/dataanalysis/?PAGEID=148