March unemployment rate matches six-year low - April 18, 2006

06-030

Media contacts: Greg Weeks, 360-438-4804
Hilary Young, 360-902-9454

Audio: http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/info/newsroom/audio

OLYMPIA – The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for March was 4.6 percent, matching the revised rate for January, and is the lowest rate for the state since November 1999, according to the Employment Security Department.

“The economic news in Washington just keeps getting better,” said Governor Chris Gregoire.  “Unemployment is at its lowest point in more than six years and employers continue to add jobs each month. These family-wage jobs expand prosperity and enable more Washingtonians to take advantage of opportunities created by the global economy.”

March also marked the second time this year that the state’s jobless rate was lower than the national rate, which had not happened since Sept. 1997. The national unemployment rate for March was 4.7 percent.

At the same time, employers added 7,900 non-farm jobs over the month, up 94,000 from the previous March. 

Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee noted that job gains continued to be widespread across industries. The construction industry reported the strongest growth, adding 2,100 jobs in March. Employment services added 700 jobs and aerospace gained 300 jobs over the month.

Lee said she encourages the estimated 166,000 unemployed workers in Washington to visit a local WorkSource office and to check online job listings at www.go2worksource.com. 

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