Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 14,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.
Total employment in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV market rose by 11,440 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV unemployment rate is 29 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 280 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 1.8% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:
- Business Services: 801,200; -2,100
- Government: 723,400; +4,900
- Education & Healthcare: 441,200; +1,000
- Transportation & Utilities: 411,800; +14,500
- Restaurants & Hotels: 282,000; +1,100
- Other Jobs: 194,500; +700
- Construction, Mining: 165,400; +1,000
- Financial Services: 152,600; -1,000
- IT & Development: 73,400; +100
- Manufacturing: 56,500; +300
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.