OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington’s unemployment rate remained 4.8% in April according to the Washington Employment Security Department.
5,200 jobs were added to the state’s economy in April, but job growth has slowed generally in past months. Chief Regional Economist Anneliese Vance-Sherman explained the context behind that more modest growth.
“Job growth is still trending up, but overall growth has slowed in recent months as net employment – the difference between job gains and job losses – continues to increase in some industries and decrease in others,” Vance-Sherman said.
Fewer unemployment claims in the construction and waste management industries have contributed to an overall decrease in unemployment benefits dispersed by the state in April.
It appears that the state’s economy is continuing to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, as Washington has gained about 5,500 jobs since April 2023.
The full 11 page Employment Security Department report
