Associated Press
OLYMPIA
Washington’s unemployment rate remains near historic lows, improving to 4.5 percent in June.
The rate dropped a tenth of a percentage point from May, and now is just a tick above the state’s modern record for low unemployment, the 4.4 percent mark set in April.
“It’s about as good as it gets for full employment in Washington,” said Evelina Tainer, chief economist for the Department of Employment Security.
The state rate now equals the national rate of 4.5 percent. Oregon’s latest rate is 5.1 percent.
The new jobless report was the latest in a string of good economic news that was highlighted by the administration. Welfare caseloads are the lowest in decades, state government revenue forecasts have soared by over $3 billion since Gov. Chris Gregoire took office, Boeing has launched a popular new Dreamliner, and international trade is booming, the administration noted.
Gregoire recently led a 50-member delegation to Mexico.
Washington employers added a net of about 3,300 new workers last month, adding to the 6,900 new hires in May.
The pace of employment growth among various sectors was mixed. Industries with the largest employment growth in June were information services, up 1,400; education and health services, up 900; professional and business services, up 600; and construction, with 600 new jobs.
Largest declines were reported in government, down 400; wholesale trade, down 300; and manufacturing, down 200.
Over the past 12 months, 50,800 net new jobs were created in Washington. Nonfarm job growth increased by 1.8 percent, better than the national rate of 1.5 percent.
Still, more than 150,000 people are out of work, said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. She suggested that people looking for work use the listings, advice and classes offered at local WorkSource centers.
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