Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.3% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which lost 700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.
Total employment in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA market rose by 1,714 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 140 bps to 5.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.
- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA unemployment rate is 168 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 10 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 7.8% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 57,000; +300
- Transportation & Utilities: 50,100; no change
- Government: 42,600; +100
- Business Services: 30,700; -700
- Restaurants & Hotels: 24,200; no change
- Manufacturing: 17,900; +100
- Construction, Mining: 16,100; +200
- Financial Services: 15,000; no change
- Other Jobs: 9,800; no change
- IT & Development: 2,800; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.