Washington state unemployment rate matches pre-pandemic low | Sequim Gazette

Washington’s economic system misplaced 2,300 jobs in Might. The job losses have been concentrated in retail commerce — down 6,600 jobs — and in skilled and enterprise companies, down 3,800 jobs. January 2021 was the final time Washington state misplaced jobs.

“In Might, the labor market acquired some combined messaging,” mentioned Paul Turek, the Employment Safety Division’s (ESD) state economist.

“Family members proceed to seek out jobs even because the tempo of hiring seems to be slowing. As well as, whole state employment has now reached pre-pandemic ranges.”

Additionally in Might, the preliminary seasonally adjusted month-to-month unemployment charge dropped barely to
3.9 %.

ESD paid unemployment insurance coverage advantages to 38,135 individuals in Might — a lower of 6,826 over the earlier month. Decreases in building, agriculture, and transportation and warehousing contributed to the general lower in paid claims over the month.

The nationwide unemployment remained fixed in Might on the preliminary charge of three.6 %. For comparability, the nationwide unemployment charge (revised) for Might 2021 was 5.8 %.

The state’s labor pressure in Might was 4,036,300 — a rise of 13,000 individuals from the earlier month. (Labor pressure is outlined as the full variety of individuals, each employed and unemployed, over the age of 16.)

From Might 2021 to Might 2022, the state’s labor pressure elevated by 141,800.

From April to Might, the quantity of people that have been unemployed statewide decreased from 163,000 to 158,900.

In Might, eight trade sectors expanded whereas 5 contracted. Non-public sector employment decreased by 2,100 jobs whereas authorities employment decreased by 200 jobs.

From Might 2021 to Might 2022, 12 main trade sectors expanded and one contracted. The three trade sectors with the biggest employment beneficial properties yr over yr, not seasonally adjusted, have been: leisure and hospitality, up 55,700 jobs; skilled and enterprise companies, up 34,600 jobs; and, schooling and well being companies, up 23,300 jobs.

Mining and logging is the one trade sector that contracted, dropping 300 jobs from Might 2021 to Might 2022.

State wage enhance is second-largest on file

Washington state’s common annual wage grew by 7.5 % in 2021 to $82,508, in keeping with the state Employment Safety Division. The robust demand for staff and hiring difficulties throughout totally different sectors drove common wage development in 2021 to the second largest enhance on file.

All trade sectors skilled common wage development in 2021. The best wage development occurred in trade sectors with giant numbers of lower-wage staff, together with: leisure and hospitality, up 14.2 %; transportation and warehousing, up 7.6 %; and retail commerce, up 6.5 %.

The typical weekly wage additionally rose from $1,475 in 2020 to $1,586 in 2021. (Observe: These figures embody solely these wages which can be coated by unemployment insurance coverage.)