Washington Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Washington fell 0.2 percentage points in December 2011 to 8.5%. The state unemployment rate was 0.0 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Washington peaked in December 2009 at 10.0% and is now 1.5 percentage points lower. You can also see Washington unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Washington	8.5%	-0.2	-0.8

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Washington, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Washington Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Washington peaked in February 2010 at 354,072. There are now 56,642 fewer people unemployed in the state. Washington job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Washington	297,430	-6,801	-31,059

Number of Unemployed Persons

Washington Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	8.5%	297,430
November 2011	8.7%	8.7%	304,231
October 2011	8.9%	9.1%	316,141
September 2011	9.0%	9.2%	318,805
August 2011	9.1%	9.3%	322,164
July 2011	9.1%	9.3%	323,037
June 2011	9.1%	9.3%	322,636
May 2011	9.0%	9.1%	318,813
April 2011	9.0%	9.2%	319,380
March 2011	8.9%	9.2%	321,664
February 2011	9.0%	9.1%	319,758
January 2011	9.1%	9.2%	323,818