Washington gained 5,000 jobs in July, even while the state jobless rate rose from 8.3 percent in June to 8.5 percent in July, the Employment Security Department said Wednesday.

The U.S. unemployment rate for July is 8.3 percent, up slightly from 8.2 percent in June.

Individual county unemployment rates will be released next week by the state.

According to workplace estimates, the number of jobless state residents seeking work increased by about 4,200. At the same time, the number of employed workers fell an estimated 14,000.

Overall, this amounted to a decrease of 9,800 people in the labor force.

Washington’s job figures showed positive growth from one year ago; July 2011’s jobless rate was 9.3 percent. And since one year ago, Washington has gained roughly 57,000 jobs, based on data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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