Workplace
Washington Job Growth Strong
By Seattle Business Magazine February 29, 2012
Washington’s economy looked stronger in January as the state added 13,200 jobs and its unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent from 8.6 percent the month before. The state’s Employment Security Deprtment also found that Washington grew faster in 2011 than previously believed, adding 53,500 jobs, almost twice the previously reported 26,600 jobs.
These numbers show that our economy is gaining strength, and thats great news to start to the new year, said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause.
Industry sectors that had the most job growth in January were professional & business services, which added 5,500 jobs; retail trade, up 2,700 jobs; education & health services, up 2,300; wholesale trade, up 1,100; leisure & hospitality, up 1,100; construction, up 900; information, up 500; and financial activities, up 500 jobs.
Industries with the most job losses included government, down 1,100; other services, down 200; and mining & logging, down 200.
Since the low point in the recession, the state has regained about 98,000 jobs.
An estimated 291,400 people (seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in January. As of Feb. 25, 74,616 workers in Washington had run out of all unemployment benefits.