Washington’s payroll employment increased significantly in July, Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee announced Tuesday. At the same time, an influx of labor force participants bumped the unemployment rate up.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, nonfarm payroll employment jumped 12,800 in July, the largest monthly increase since August 2000. Due to higher workforce participation, however, the state’s unemployment rate increased from 5.5 percent in June to 5.7 percent. The national rate remained at 5.0 percent in July.
“This is the most impressive employment report we’ve had in quite some time,” Lee stated. “We’ve now seen two straight months of extraordinary job gains, and healthy labor force growth provides Washington’s economy with room to expand.”
On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, an expected seasonal decline in education jobs pushed Washington’s payroll employment down 10,900 from June to July. However, this monthly decline was roughly half the 19,900 decrease experienced during the same period last year.
Government employment fell 26,500 in July, primarily due to declines in state and local government educational services. Employment in private education services also dropped last month, accounting for much of a 4,700 decrease in education and health care services jobs.
Job gains were evident in every other major industrial classification. As expected, construction employment continued to rise in July, and the 6,300 gain exceeded typical seasonal growth. Professional and business services, retail trade, and leisure and hospitality each expanded by 2,700 jobs. Manufacturers augmented their payrolls with 1,700 new jobs and wholesalers added 1,600.
According to annually benchmarked data, payroll employment in Washington increased 67,300 since last July, or 2.5 percent. This compares to a nationwide increase of 1.6 percent. Quarterly benchmarked data, which utilizes more current employer data, shows an even stronger gain in the state from last July, 80,300 or 3.0 percent.
The number of unemployed workers fell 10,200 since last July.
