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Media contact: Jamie Swift, Communications Manager, 360-902-0904

OLYMPIA - Washington’s economy picked up some steam in January, adding an estimated 12,400 jobs – the first monthly gain since November 2008. 

“This is a positive sign for Washington state,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “We have implemented several strategies to create jobs, and it’s paying off. There is more we can and should do – that’s why I continue to work with leaders at both the state and federal levels to develop additional proposals that will put people to work.”

The state unemployment rate remained relatively flat, inching up to an estimated 9.3 percent from December’s revised rate of 9.2 percent. December’s rate was earlier estimated at 9.5 percent, but was revised downward after more analysis. 

The largest number of seasonally adjusted job gains occurred in the following industries: retail trade, up 3,000; educational and health services, up 2,800; construction, up 2,700; leisure and hospitality, up 1,600; professional and business services, up 1,000; manufacturing, up 1,000; information, up 900; wholesale trade, up 800; and aerospace and parts manufacturing, up 600. 

Industries that shed jobs in January included transportation, warehousing and utilities, down 900, and other services, down 800.

“It’s encouraging to see jobs finally coming back,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. “I hope it signals the beginning of a job-full recovery, not a job-less recovery.”

Year over year, Washington had 107,800 fewer jobs last month than in January 2009, a 3.7 percent decrease.  Nationally, employment declined by 3 percent over the past year.

An estimated 359,500 people (not seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in January. More than 305,000 people received unemployment benefits from Washington state in January.

Unemployed workers can inquire about assessment and training opportunities that are available through their local WorkSource career centers. 

Employment Security is a partner in the statewide WorkSource system, which offers a variety of employment and training services, including free help with interviewing skills, résumés, and job referrals. 

Locations of local WorkSource offices are listed online at https://worksourcewa.com/.  Assistance also is available by phone at 877-872-5627.  

In addition, more than 16,000 job openings are posted on https://worksourcewa.com/.

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• Full report - http://www.workforceexplorer.com/cgi/dataanalysis/?PAGEID=148
• Regional economists - http://www.workforceexplorer.com/Article.asp?ARTICLEID=1688
• Employment Security Web site – www.esd.wa.gov
• WorkSource Web site - https://worksourcewa.com/ 
• Numbers & Trends online tool - https://esd.wa.gov/labormarketinfo 

Broadcast version

Washington’s economy picked up some steam in January, adding more than 12-thousand jobs – the first monthly gain since November 2008. 

The state unemployment rate remained relatively flat - at nine-point-three percent – a slight increase over December’s revised rate of nine-point-two percent. 

Several industries added jobs, including retail trade, manufacturing and construction. 

According to the state Employment Security Department, nearly 360-thousand Washington residents were unemployed and looking for work in January.

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