Washington state unemployment rate lowest since the Great Recession

OLYMPIA – Washington state’s unemployment rate dipped to 5.3 percent last month and the state added 3,600 jobs. November’s unemployment rate was the lowest since June 2008.

The unemployment rate in October was 5.4 percent.

According to the latest numbers released Wednesday by the Employment Security Department, the private sector added 4,700 jobs, while the public sector saw a decrease of 1,100.

Washington’s unemployment rate is the lowest since the beginning of the Great Recession, and it fell even though large numbers of job seekers are entering the labor market, said Paul Turek, the department’s economist. The greater Seattle area is the “hot spot” for job growth, he said.

However, “the rest of the state is coming along. We’re seeing job growth, but not as robust as Seattle,” Turek said.

The national unemployment rate was 4.6 percent last month.

Statewide, the biggest job growth was seen in education and health services, with 3,200 new jobs created. Losses were seen in leisure and hospitality, with 3,100 positions lost. Retail trade cut 1,200 jobs in November.

The retail trade number reflects a seasonally adjusted figure, Turek said. The retail sector actually added 7,200 jobs last month, but the number of new jobs lagged behind the projected holiday hiring of 8,400 new retail jobs, so it’s reported as a loss, Turek said.