Washington Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Washington fell 0.1 percentage points in January 2020 to 3.9%. The state unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Washington peaked in December 2009 at 10.4% and is now 6.5 percentage points lower. You can also see Washington unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.6%	+0.1	-0.4
Washington	3.9%	-0.1	-0.6

Note: All comparisons are made with January data as February 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 January 2010 at 367,424. There are now 211,889 fewer people unemployed in the state. Washington job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
Washington	155,535	-3,278	-19,182

Number of Unemployed Persons

Washington Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployed
February 2020	3.5%	—	—
January 2020	3.6%	3.9%	155,535
December 2019	3.5%	4.0%	158,813
November 2019	3.5%	4.0%	158,520
October 2019	3.6%	4.0%	158,912
September 2019	3.5%	4.1%	161,055
August 2019	3.7%	4.2%	163,815
July 2019	3.7%	4.2%	166,584
June 2019	3.7%	4.3%	168,922
May 2019	3.6%	4.4%	170,790
April 2019	3.6%	4.4%	172,451
March 2019	3.8%	4.5%	173,782