Washington state added 13,500 jobs in April

Washington employers continued to add to their payrolls in April, creating more than 13,500 jobs.

Although the state’s unemployment rate rose to 4.7% in last month – an increase from 4.6% reported in March – job numbers are rebounding from a slide earlier in the year, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.

“It’s good to see the hiring rebound in March continue into April,” Paul Turek, economist for the Washington State Employment Security Department, said in a statement. “April’s employment gains show the state’s labor market remains strong.”

Private sector employment increased by more than 11,800 jobs in April, and the public sector added 1,700 jobs.

In the private sector, professional and business services added 2,800 jobs; education and health services added 2,300 jobs; financial activities posted 1,900 new jobs; and hospitality gained 1,600 jobs.

Construction and mining and logging were two sectors that posted employment losses, declining by 1,100 and 100 jobs, respectively.

The national unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in April.