Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.7% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 5,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.
Total employment in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV market rose by 20,991 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 5.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV unemployment rate is 85 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 270 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 6.1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:
- Business Services: 764,800; +4,900
- Government: 701,700; +5,600
- Education & Healthcare: 425,400; +3,800
- Transportation & Utilities: 385,800; -5,600
- Restaurants & Hotels: 223,200; +2,600
- Other Jobs: 187,700; -200
- Construction, Mining: 157,200; -1,500
- Financial Services: 152,500; no change
- IT & Development: 72,500; -600
- Manufacturing: 54,800; +700
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.