Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.2% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 13,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.
Total employment in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV market declined by 14,560 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 4.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV unemployment rate is 36 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 270 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 2.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:
- Business Services: 785,200; -2,900
- Government: 706,200; +13,700
- Education & Healthcare: 436,800; +6,900
- Transportation & Utilities: 390,600; -400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 272,900; -5,400
- Other Jobs: 194,200; -1,500
- Construction, Mining: 161,600; -800
- Financial Services: 154,400; -200
- IT & Development: 72,700; no change
- Manufacturing: 56,000; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.