Washington Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Washington rose 0.1 percentage points in January 2023 to 4.6%. The state unemployment rate was 1.2 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 12.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.9% in March 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.7 percentage points. You can also see Washington unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.4%	-0.1	-0.6
Washington	4.6%	+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

Washington monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to January 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 486,708 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 154,558 in April 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 29,910. Washington job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Washington	184,468	+1,951	+25,557

Number of Unemployed Persons