District of Columbia Department of Employment Services
11/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/26/2024 18:51
Washington Metro’s Unemployment Rate at 3.2 percent
(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary October job estimates show an increase of 20,800 jobs for a total of 2,813,600 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 13,400 jobs, while the public sector increased by 7,400 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted October 2024 unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, which was unchanged from the revised August 2024 unemployment rate of 3.2 percent. The Washington Metropolitan Division's unemployment rate was 2.9 percent in October 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 October 2024 was 2,814,000, of which 2,724,800 were employed and 89,200 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 3,107,700, of which 3,019,700 were employed and 88,100 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 3,51,000, of which 3,401,800 were employed and 109,300 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.1 percent. For the month the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Areas and the Suburban Ring were unchanged.
Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The Washington Metropolitan Division's civilian labor force increased over the year by 8,500, while the number of employed increased by 1,800, and the number of unemployed increased by 6,700. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 16,900, while the number of employed increased by 5,300, and the number of unemployed increased by 11,800. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area's civilian labor force increased by 18,100, while the number of employed increased by 5,600 and the number of unemployed increased by 12,700. For the year, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division, the Suburban Ring and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 0.3 percentage points.
Metropolitan Division's Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 20,800 jobs. The private sector increased by 13,400 jobs, while the public sector increased by 7,400 jobs over the month. The private sector had five gains over the month. Job gains were registered in: Mining, Logging & Construction (1,900 jobs); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (4,700 jobs); Financial Activities (1,600 jobs); Professional and Business Services (7,000 jobs); and Education and Health Services Information (3,000 jobs). The private sector had two losses registered in Leisure and Hospitality (-4,600 jobs) and Other Services (-200 jobs). Government overall increased 7,400 jobs over the month. The federal government increased 1,900 jobs, the State government increased 1,300 jobs and the local government increased 4,200 jobs.
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 28,000 jobs. The private sector increased 24,100 jobs, while the public sector increased 3,900 jobs. Job increases were registered in Manufacturing (1,600 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (5,500 jobs); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (2,900 jobs); Information (700 jobs); Professional and Business Services (8,700 jobs); Educational and Health Services (3,400 jobs); and Other Services (4,800 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Financial Activities (2,800 jobs) and Leisure and Hospitality (-700 jobs). Government overall increased 3,900 jobs. The Federal government shows a decrease of 400 jobs. State government shows an increase of 500 jobs and the local government increased by 3,800 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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