Department of Numbers

District of Columbia Job Growth

There were 776,400 jobs in District of Columbia in May 2023 according to the CES survey of employers. The CPS survey of households showed 372,080 employed persons for the month. District of Columbia added 3,700 jobs in May 2023 according to the CES survey while the broader CPS employment measure rose by 699 (Comparing CES and CPS employment numbers.). Also available is District of Columbia job growth compared to other states.

Employment Survey May 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
CES 776,400 +3,700 +11,300
CPS 372,080 +699 -665

District of Columbia Employment Changes

The charts below shows the monthly job growth for District of Columbia as measured by the CES and CPS surveys. To illustrate the trend, the 3 month moving average change in employment is shown in green.

CES Employment Change: 1 Month, Rolling 3 Month

CPS Employment Change: 1 Month, Rolling 3 Month

Total Employment in District of Columbia

CES employment peaked in January 2020 for District of Columbia at 804,900. Since then 28,500 jobs have been lost in District of Columbia according to the employer survey. From a trough of 717,700 in May 2020, District of Columbia has gained 58,700 jobs according to CES employment figures.

CPS employment in District of Columbia reached a maximum of 380,934 in December 2019. 8,854 jobs have been lost in District of Columbia since then according to the household survey. From a June 2020 low of 346,291, District of Columbia has added 25,789 jobs according to the CPS survey.

Employment: CES, CPS

CES and CPS employment chart through May 2023

District of Columbia Employment History

Date CES
Employment
CES
Month/Month
CPS
Employment
CPS
Month/Month
May 2023 776,400 3,700 372,080 699
April 2023 772,700 -400 371,381 -232
March 2023 773,100 1,600 371,613 82
February 2023 771,500 1,900 371,531 -315
January 2023 769,600 -600 371,846 -19
December 2022 770,200 400 371,865 367
November 2022 769,800 2,600 371,498 -34
October 2022 767,200 200 371,532 -1,563
September 2022 767,000 600 373,095 -2,426
August 2022 766,400 -1,900 375,521 428
July 2022 768,300 5,500 375,093 723
June 2022 762,800 -2,300 374,370 1,625