Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 5.0% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 5,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV market rose by 15,733 jobs in May and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV unemployment rate is 50 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 370 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 2.9% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Unemployment May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Business Services: 775,500; +2,500
  • Government: 709,600; +700
  • Education & Healthcare: 433,500; +500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 388,800; +1,100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 247,900; +5,800
  • Other Jobs: 190,100; +1,200
  • Construction, Mining: 160,700; +900
  • Financial Services: 151,900; -900
  • IT & Development: 73,500; -300
  • Manufacturing: 55,500; +200
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.