Washington Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Washington fell 5.3 percentage points in June 2020 to 9.8%. The state unemployment rate was 1.3 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Washington peaked in April 2020 at 16.3% and is now 6.5 percentage points lower. You can also see Washington unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	June 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	11.1%	-2.2	+7.4
Washington	9.8%	-5.3	+5.5

Note: All comparisons are made with June data as July 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 April 2020 at 645,110. There are now 256,662 fewer people unemployed in the state. Washington job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	June 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
Washington	388,448	-205,435	+219,526

Number of Unemployed Persons

Washington Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployment Rate	Washington Unemployed
July 2020	10.2%	—	—
June 2020	11.1%	9.8%	388,448
May 2020	13.3%	15.1%	593,883
April 2020	14.7%	16.3%	645,110
March 2020	4.4%	5.1%	198,560
February 2020	3.5%	3.8%	151,533
January 2020	3.6%	3.9%	155,468
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