WA Unemployment Rate Up Slightly In June

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington’s unemployment rate has crept up to 5.5 percent as more people look for work.

The state Employment Security Department says Washington’s unemployment in June was 5.5 percent, up from 5.3 percent in May. Since the number of jobs is about the same, the unemployment increase comes from more jobseekers entering the market.

June’s unemployment is a significant increase over last year’s rate of 4.6 percent, but it’s on pace with the national rate of 5.5 percent. Nearly 188,000 people are looking for work in Washington.

Industries with the largest job growth in June were manufacturing, with 700 new jobs, and leisure and hospitality, with 600 new jobs. The largest declines were in construction, down 900, financial activities, down 700 jobs, and government, down 400.