Jobless Rate Hits 7-Year Low Manufacturing Growth Cuts Rate To 4.4 Percent

The strongest July manufacturing employment gain in 10 years helped push Washington’s unemployment rate down three-tenths of a percentage point to 4.4 percent, according to Employment Security Commissioner Carver Gayton.

“The rate was lowest for any month in almost seven years,” Gayton said. “In addition to manufacturing, boosts in construction, business services and seasonal increases in trade and tourism are driving the economy.”

Unemployment on a seasonally adjusted basis dropped two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.7 percent, down a full percentage point from January and a tenth of a percentage point below the national average.

In Spokane, the July unemployment rate was 4.1 percent. In a work force of 202,300, 194,000 people had jobs, and 8,300 were looking for work.

Spokane’s revised June unemployment rate was 4.3 percent. In July of 1996, the figure was 5.4 percent. In July 1996, the work force was 202,000, with 191,100 employed and 10,900 looking for work.

Statewide, nonfarm wage and salary employment dropped by 20,200 workers, reflecting a 37,600 seasonal pullback in employment in public and private education. The loss was countered by a 17,400 gain in the rest of the economy. Manufacturing payrolls increased by 3,500 workers, driven by a 2,300-worker addition in aircraft and parts.

Construction climbed by 3,500 as the peak summer building season got under way. Wholesale and retail trade added 1,000 workers, with losses in wholesaling (-700) offset by gains in retailing (+1,700).

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: County-by-county monthly unemployment rates