Unemployment in Washington dropped half a percentage point in March to 6.8, following seasonal patterns, the Employment Security Department announced Tuesday.

In March 1995, 7 percent of the state’s work force was unemployed. The improvement reflected strength in several key industries, including manufacturing.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the jobless count inched up fractionally from 6 percent in February to 6.1 percent in March.

Spokane’s unadjusted unemployment rate for March was 6.5 percent, down from February’s seasonally adjusted rate of 7.1 percent, but up from 6.2 percent for March 1995.

“The numbers could have been even better if we’d had better weather,” said Fred Walsh, the agency’s regional labor analyst. “March is the start of our seasonal turnaround.” , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: County-by-county monthly unemployment rates