Washington Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Washington fell 0.1 percentage points in August 2018 to 4.5%. The state unemployment rate was 0.6 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 5.9 percentage points lower. You can also see Washington unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	0.0	-0.5
Washington	4.5%	-0.1	-0.3

Note: All comparisons are made with August data as September 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 198,106 fewer people unemployed in the state. Washington job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Washington	169,318	-4,054	-8,573

Number of Unemployed Persons

Washington Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployed
September 2018	3.7%	—	—
August 2018	3.9%	4.5%	169,318
July 2018	3.9%	4.6%	173,372
June 2018	4.0%	4.7%	176,664
May 2018	3.8%	4.7%	177,921
April 2018	3.9%	4.8%	178,712
March 2018	4.1%	4.7%	178,449
February 2018	4.1%	4.7%	178,064
January 2018	4.1%	4.7%	177,272
December 2017	4.1%	4.7%	176,864
November 2017	4.1%	4.7%	176,900
October 2017	4.1%	4.7%	177,116