Regional News

Payroll hiring surged in December

Jan 16, 2019

Washington’s economy added 11,400 jobs in December and the state’s seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate for December was 4.3 percent according to the Employment Security Department. The December figures are preliminary and are subject to revisions.

“Employers added the highest number of jobs since last July” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “December’s report caps off a year that has been solid for job growth.”

The Employment Security Department released the preliminary job estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as part of its Monthly Employment Report.

The department also announced that November’s previously reported unemployment rate of 4.3 was confirmed. However, November’s preliminary estimated gain of 5,100 jobs was revised upward to 7,300 jobs.

The national unemployment rate rose from 3.7 percent in November to 3.9 percent in December.

Private sector employment increased by 9,800 while the public sector increased by 1,600 jobs in December. This month’s report shows the greatest private job growth occurred in construction up 2,400 jobs, transportation, warehousing & utilities up 2,100 jobs, manufacturing up 1,800 jobs, other services up as well as retail trade both up 1,100 jobs. Other industry sectors posting job growth are Education & health services up 800 jobs, leisure & hospitality, information and financial services each up 500 jobs and mining & logging up 100 jobs.

The industry sectors that lost jobs were wholesale trade down 600 jobs and professional & business services down 500 jobs.