Washington Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Washington fell 0.0 percentage points in January 2019 to 4.5%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 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. From a post peak low of 4.4% in June 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see Washington unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	4.0%	+0.1	-0.1
Washington	4.5%	0.0	-0.1

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 195,106 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 167,340 in July 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 4,978. Washington job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Washington	172,318	+1,917	-1,461

Number of Unemployed Persons

Washington Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployed
February 2019	3.8%	—	—
January 2019	4.0%	4.5%	172,318
December 2018	3.9%	4.5%	170,401
November 2018	3.7%	4.5%	170,286
October 2018	3.8%	4.4%	169,597
September 2018	3.7%	4.4%	168,459
August 2018	3.8%	4.4%	167,572
July 2018	3.9%	4.4%	167,340
June 2018	4.0%	4.4%	168,057
May 2018	3.8%	4.5%	169,580
April 2018	3.9%	4.5%	171,307
March 2018	4.0%	4.6%	172,718