Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.9% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.
Total employment in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA market rose by 3,349 jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 6.9%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA unemployment rate is 301 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 130 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 down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 56,300; +1,600
- Transportation & Utilities: 50,100; -400
- Government: 42,300; +200
- Business Services: 31,500; +1,100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 24,300; +100
- Manufacturing: 17,900; no change
- Construction, Mining: 15,900; +200
- Financial Services: 15,000; -200
- Other Jobs: 9,800; +100
- IT & Development: 2,800; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.