Washington Metro’s Unemployment Rate at 2.8%

(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary May job estimates show an increase of 24,400 jobs for a total of 2,802,700 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 19,200 jobs, while the public sector increased by 5,200 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted May 2024 unemployment rate was 2.8 percent, which was 0.2 percentage points higher from the revised April 2024 unemployment rate of 2.6 percent. The Washington Metropolitan Division's unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in May 2023, which was 0.1 percentage point lower than the current unemployment rate of 2.8 percent.

Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for May 2024 was 2,817,600, of which 2,738,100 were employed and 79,400 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 2.8 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,100,400, of which 3,028,400 were employed and 72,000 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.3 percent. In the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Maryland Metropolitan Division, the civilian labor force was 3,504,800, of which 3,410,900 were employed and 93,900 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.7 percent. For the month the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 0.2 percentage points, the Suburban Rings unemployment rate was unchanged, and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Areas unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage point.
Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The Washington Metropolitan Division's civilian labor force increased over the year by 21,100, while the number of employed increased by 16,500, and the number of unemployed increased by 4,400. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 16,600, while the number of employed increased by 12,100, and the number of unemployed increased by 4,500. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area's civilian labor force increased by 25,500, while the number of employed increased by 17,500 and the number of unemployed increased by 8,000. For the year, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division the Suburban Ring increased by 0.1 percentage point, while the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 0.2 percentage points.
Metropolitan Division's Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 24,400 jobs. The private sector increased by 19,200 jobs, while the public sector increased by 5,200 jobs over the month. Eight private sectors had over the month gains. Job gains were registered in: Manufacturing (500 jobs); Mining, Logging & Construction (1,000 jobs); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (2,100 jobs); Information (100 jobs); Financial Activities (700 jobs); Professional and Business Services (6,300 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (6,900 jobs) and Other Services (2,000 jobs). The private sector loss was registered in: Education and Health Services (-400 jobs). Government overall increased 5,200 jobs over the month. The federal government increased 200 jobs, state government decreased by 400 jobs and the local government increased by 5,400 jobs.
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 30,600 jobs. The private sector increased 17,000 jobs, while the public sector increased 13,600 jobs. Job increases were registered in Manufacturing (800 jobs) Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (1,000 jobs); Professional and Business Services (1,700 jobs); Educational and Health Services (10,700 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (2,700 jobs) and Other Services (5,300 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Mining, Logging and Construction (-700 jobs); Information (-1,300 jobs); and Financial Activities (-3,200 jobs). Government overall increased by 13,600. Federal government shows an increase of 2,000 jobs. State government shows an increase of 4,700 jobs and the local government increased by 6,900 jobs.
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Explanations
Estimated Labor Force and Employment for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division includes: The District of Columbia, Virginia Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park and the Virginia Counties of Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, Rappahannock and Culpeper; the Maryland Counties of Calvert, Charles, and Prince Georges; and the West Virginia County of Jefferson.

The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be the summation of the estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division (contained in this release) and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division (to be released by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation).
Data reflects the 2023 annual benchmark revisions.