Washington Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Washington rose 0.2 percentage points in November 2023 to 4.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Washington peaked in April 2020 at 16.6% and is now 12.6 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.6% in July 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also see Washington unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	-0.1	+0.1
Washington	4.0%	+0.2	-0.6

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

Unemployment Rate: Washington, National

Washington monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to November 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Washington Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Washington peaked in April 2020 at 671,176. There are now 509,460 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 145,895 in August 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 15,821. Washington job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Washington	161,716	+8,401	-21,920

Number of Unemployed Persons