(Washington, DC)  The Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted September 2006 unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, which is down 0.2 percent from the August 2006 rate. The September 2006 rate was also 0.2 percent lower than in September 2005.

Washington Metropolitan Division Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 23,200 workers in September 2006.  As employment declined by 17,600, the number of unemployed decreased by 5,600. The unemployment rate in the Washington Metropolitan Division, at 3.1 percent in September, was down 0.2 percent from the rate in August 2006.  

Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 50,100. With 2,900 fewer unemployed division residents, the division’s civilian labor force rose by 47,200. 

Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 4,300. The private sector increased by 3,100 jobs and the public sector gained 1,200 jobs. Within the private sector, gains were registered in educational and health services (up by 9,500 jobs) and other services (up by 600 jobs). Private sector losses were noted in leisure and hospitality (down by 3,700 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (down by 1,600 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (down by 700 jobs), information (down by 500 jobs), financial activities (down by 400 jobs), and manufacturing (down by 100 jobs).  Professional and business service jobs were unchanged over the month.  In the public sector, local government gained 9,800 jobs; the federal government lost 2,400 jobs; and state government shed 6,200 jobs.   

During the past twelve months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 58,800 jobs. The private sector gained 58,900 jobs and the public sector lost 100 jobs. Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 26,800 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 8,600 jobs), educational and health services (up by 8,200 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up by 5,100 jobs), other services (up by 4,200 jobs), financial activities (up by 2,700 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 2,500 jobs), and manufacturing (up by 600 jobs).  Information was unchanged over the year. In government, local government gained 1,900 jobs while the federal government lost 1,800 jobs and state government shed 200 jobs.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the suburban ring of communities surrounding the District of Columbia decreased by 21,300 in September 2006 as employment fell by 14,600 and the number unemployed decreased by 6,800. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.7 percent in September, was down 0.2 percent from the rate in August 2006.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 73,700.  With 2,600 fewer unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 71,300. The suburban ring’s September 2006 unemployment rate of 2.7 percent was 0.2 percent lower than the rate in September 2005.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force decreased by 28,700 in September 2006.  The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area fell by 21,200, and the number of unemployed residents decreased by 7,600. The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 3.0 percent in September 2006 was down 0.2 percent from the rate in August 2006.

Compared to September 2005, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 65,600.  Employment increased by 67,800 and unemployment decreased by 2,400. The Washington Metropolitan Area’s September 2006 unemployment rate was down 0.2 percent from the September 2005 rate of 3.2 percent. 

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

September 2006 wage and salary employment estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on November 1, 2006. The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be the summation of the estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division (contained in this release) and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division (to be released by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation).