Employers add jobs in July, unemployment inches up - August 15, 2006

06-073

Media contacts: Evelina Tainer, 360-438-4812
Hilary Young, 360-902-9454

OLYMPIA – Employment growth in Washington picked up in July, with employers adding 8,700 non-farm jobs over the month, the Employment Security Department announced today. 

“As the economy in Washington continues to grow and our companies become more global, the need for skilled workers increases,” said Governor Chris Gregoire.  “This is good news for job seekers and for our economy.”

At the same time, the number of people who are employed decreased for the first time since May. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.3 percent. While the number of filled and available jobs grew, the number of people who were employed dropped by 16,900.

“Just when it looked like things were starting to slow down, employers really picked up the pace in terms of adding jobs last month,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. “While unemployment did increase slightly, the conditions remain favorable for job seekers in our state.”

Some 81,500 net new jobs were created in Washington from July 2005 to July 2006. Annual non-farm job growth in the state was 2.9 percent, compared to a national rate of 1.3 percent over the year. 

The service sector continues to lead job growth, contributing 55,800 jobs over the year, including 7,900 net new jobs in July. The increase in service jobs was spread across industries with government adding 4,200 jobs and education services adding 2,800. 

By contrast, the trade industry was down with retail shedding 1,000 jobs and financial activities losing 300 jobs over the month. 

Lee said she encourages the estimated 166,700 unemployed workers in Washington to visit a local WorkSource office and to check online job listings at www.go2worksource.com. 

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