10/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 10:55
(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary September job estimates show an increase of 3,400 jobs for a total of 2,788,600 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 7,500 jobs, while the public sector increased by 10,900 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted September 2024 unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, which was 0.6 percentage points lower from the revised August 2024 unemployment rate of 3.8 percent. The Washington Metropolitan Division's unemployment rate was 2.9 percent in September 2023, which was 0.3 percentage points lower than the current unemployment rate of 3.2 percent.
Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for September 2024 was 2,805,500, of which 2,714,700 were employed and 90,800 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 3.2 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,098,500, of which 3,012,200 were employed and 86,200 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.8 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 3,501,800, of which 3,393,100 were employed and 108,700 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.1 percent. For the month the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Areas decreased by 0.6 percentage points, while the unemployment rate for the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.5 percentage points.
Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The Washington Metropolitan Division's civilian labor force increased over the year by 4,400, while the number of employed decreased by 4,900, and the number of unemployed increased by 9,300. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 14,000, while the number of employed increased by 2,400, and the number of unemployed increased by 11,500. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area's civilian labor force increased by 16,200, while the number of employed increased by 2,400 and the number of unemployed increased by 13,800. For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 0.3 percentage points while the unemployment rates for the Suburban Ring and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 0.4 percentage points.
Metropolitan Division's Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 3,400 jobs. The private sector decreased by 7,500 jobs, while the public sector increased by 10,900 jobs over the month. One private sector has gains over the month. Job gains were registered in: Education and Health Services (6,600 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Manufacturing (-200 jobs); Mining, Logging & Construction (-600 jobs); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-100 jobs); Information (-500 jobs); Financial Activities (-100 jobs); Professional and Business Services (-2,500 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (-8,400 jobs) and Other Services (-1,700 jobs). Government overall increased 10,900 jobs over the month. The federal government decreased 1,800 jobs, state government increased 6,200 jobs and the local government increased 6,500 jobs.
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 17,200 jobs. The private sector increased 22,600 jobs, while the public sector decreased 5,400 jobs. Job increases were registered in Manufacturing (1,500 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (4,600 jobs); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (4,300 jobs); Information (300 jobs); Professional and Business Services (1,200 jobs); Educational and Health Services (3,800 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (4,900 jobs) and Other Services (5,700 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Financial Activities (-3,700 jobs). Government overall decreased by 5,400. Federal government shows a decrease of 2,200 jobs. State government shows an increase of 900 jobs and the local government decreased by 4,300 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.
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