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Economic and labor information - June 10, 2011

How is the unemployment rate calculated? Is it based on the number of people claiming unemployment benefits?

The unemployment rate represents the percentage of the total work force that is unemployed and actively seeking work. The number of people who are receiving unemployment benefits is not a factor in calculating the unemployment rate. Also, "discouraged workers" (unemployed people who would like to have a job, but are not actively seeking work) are not factored into the unemployment rate.

There are many unemployed job seekers who are not able to receive benefits, for a variety of reasons: for example, people who are entering the work force for the first time, or individuals who have used up their unemployment benefits. Prior to the 2007-09 recession, a little more than one-third of unemployed job-seekers were receiving unemployment benefits; during the recession, that percentage increased to about half, since more of the newly unemployed had earned wages that qualified them for benefits.

What are the average wage rates in Washington by county, industry, etc?

Washington businesses and job seekers can find the most current wage rates for occupations on Employment Security’s Workforce Explorer Web site. Look in the "Wage and Benefits Information" section under the "Quick Links" tab.

What are the top-10 industries in Washington, based on number of jobs? (Note: Federal confidentiality requirements prohibit Employment Security from identifying individual businesses.)

The following data are for 2009.

Government (includes public colleges, universities and K-12 schools)	553,100
Education and Health Services	369,500
Professional and Business Services	325,700
Retail Trade	314,700
Leisure and Hospitality	276,800
Manufacturing	269,400
Construction	168,800
Financial Activities	144,900
Admin and Support and Waste Management and Remediation	128,200
Wholesale Trade	124,600

What counties hold the current highest and lowest unemployment rates?

This information is available on Employment Security’s Workforce Explorer Web site.

What industries have the greatest number of current vacancies?

This information is available on Employment Security’s Workforce Explorer Web site.

What are typical employee benefits being offered by businesses and industries?

Latest information about typical benefits for full- and part-time workers, by industry, is located on Employment Security’s Workforce Explorer Web site. Look in the "Job Vacancies and Benefits Report" section under the "Publications & Reports" tab.

What is Washington’s average wage? How does it compare nationally?

Employment Security tracks average wages in two ways.

One formula is prescribed in state law (RCW 50.04.35) and excludes some types of employers, such as federal government. This formula is used by Employment Security to compute unemployment benefits and taxes, and by the Department of Labor & Industries to compute workers' compensation benefits. Based on this method, the average annual wage in Washington in 2009 was $47,153; the average weekly was $906.

The second method is established by the federal government and, thus, can be compared to other states. Based on this method, the annual average wage in Washington in 2009 was $47,470, the 11th-highest in the nation. The average weekly wage was $913.