DC – November 23, 2010 --- The District of Columbia, Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the District for October was down 0.1 percent from the revised September rate of 9.8%, while the number of jobs increased by 7,300 in October. The October seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate was 9.6 percent, unchanged from the revised rate in September 2010.

At 726,000, jobs are up 20,600 or 2.9 percent from a year ago.  Over the year, Federal Government along with Professional and Business Services in the private sector registered the most job gains, while Other Services in the private sector, registered most of the over-the-year job losses.

Employment Overview
Professional and Business Services gained 900 jobs, after a 200 job gain in September. With employment at 157,400, jobs are up 8,900 or 6.0 percent from a year ago.

Educational and Health Services gained 4,300 jobs, after a gain of 6,500 jobs the prior month. With employment at 109,400, jobs are up 3,800 or 3.6 percent from a year ago.

Leisure and Hospitality gained 400 jobs following a gain of 1,100 jobs in September. With employment at 60,000, jobs are up 700 or 1.2 percent over the year.

Other Services gained 400 jobs, after a gain of 900 jobs the prior month. At 64,100, employment is down 1,000 or -1.5 percent from a year ago.

Financial Activities gained 200 jobs, after a loss 100 jobs the prior month. With employment at 26,300, jobs are up 100 or 0.4 percent from a year ago.

Information had no over-the-month job change, after a loss of 100 jobs in September. At 18,600, there was no employment change from one year ago.

Construction lost 100 jobs, after a gain of 100 jobs in September. At 11,600, employment is up 500 or 4.5 percent from a year ago.

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities had no over-the-month job change, after a gain of 300 jobs in September. With employment at 27,300, the sector is up 400 jobs or 1.5 percent from a year ago.

Manufacturing had no over-the-month job change.  Employment in manufacturing has remained constant.  With employment at 1,300, this sector is down 100 jobs or -7.1 percent from a year ago.  Manufacturing is the smallest sector in the District accounting for less than 0.2 percent of total payroll employment.

Labor Force Overview
The District’s labor force decreased by 100 in October, the number of residents employed increased by 100, and a decrease in the number of unemployed residents by 400.  At 330,900, the labor force was down 1,200 from October 2009, with 4,400 more residents employed and 5,700 less residents unemployed.

The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households, while the job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different trends.

NOTES: The November 2010 unemployment rate and survey of jobs data for the District will be released on Friday December 17, 2010. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for District of Columbia and detailed labor market information is available here.

Data reflects 2009 annual benchmark revisions.