Washington jobless rate hits 4.9 percent

Washington’s unemployment rate rose to 4.9 percent in July, up from 4.5 percent in June, the state Employment Security Department said Tuesday in a news release.

The number of non-agricultural jobs grew by 7,800 last month, but the labor force, which includes people with jobs and those looking for work, grew even faster, the release said.

Though the unemployment rate is up slightly, it remains near historic lows.

Industries with the largest job growth in July were: government, with 2,600 new jobs; professional and business services, up 1,500; and manufacturing, up 1,000.

Construction payrolls increased by 500 in July and have not declined since last July. Construction remains healthy in Washington, despite downturns nationwide since February, the release said.

The largest job declines were reported in leisure and hospitality, down 700; retail trade, down 200; and education and health services, down 100.

An estimated 160,800 people are unemployed and seeking work statewide. Job-search assistance is available online at go2worksource.com and at local WorkSource offices.