Washington adds jobs, unemployment rate unchanged

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state saw continued job growth last month, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.3 percent. State officials said today that there was an estimated gain of 10,200 jobs from May to June, with the biggest growth in professional and business services, manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality. Four industries saw a loss of jobs, including education and health services, government, financial activities, and construction. An estimated 293,200 people were unemployed and looking for work in Washington state in June. Nearly 145,000 claimed unemployment benefits last month. More than 4,500 unemployed workers ran out of unemployment benefits last month. Since extended benefits were activated in July 2008, more than 101,000 people have exhausted their benefits.