(Washington, DC)  The Department of Employment Services (DOES) released the Washington Metropolitan Division’s October 2006 data for unemployment, which showed a 0.2 percent reduction in the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2006. The rate was 2.9 percent. Over the year, the unemployment rate was also 0.2 percent lower than in October 2005.

Washington Metropolitan Division Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 18,200 in October 2006 as employment rose by 22,100 and the number of workers unemployed decreased by 3,900. 

Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 58,300.  With 3,300 fewer unemployed division residents, the division’s civilian labor force rose by 55,000.

Washington Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month (October 2006) by 15,300. The private sector increased by 8,900 jobs and the public sector gained 6,400 jobs.  Within the private sector, gains were registered in educational and health services (up by 4,600 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 4,100 jobs), professional and business services (up by 3,200 jobs), financial activities (up by 700 jobs), and other services (up by 500 jobs).  Private sector losses were noted in leisure and hospitality (down by 3,100 jobs), information (down by 700 jobs), manufacturing (down by 300 jobs), and natural resources, mining and construction (down by 100 jobs).  In the public sector, local government gained 4,100 jobs, state government added 2,700 jobs, and the federal government lost 400 jobs.   

During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 54,300 jobs. The private sector gained 54,600 jobs and the public sector lost 300 jobs.  Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 26,300 jobs), educational and health services (up by 7,600 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 7,200 jobs), leisure and hospitality and other services (up by 4,000 jobs each), financial activities (up by 2,700 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 1,900 jobs), and manufacturing (up by 900 jobs).  Information was unchanged over the year.  In government, local government gained 1,400 jobs and state government added 400 jobs while the federal government lost 2,100 jobs.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the suburban ring of communities surrounding the District of Columbia increased by 18,400 in October 2006 as employment rose by 21,200 and the number of unemployed decreased by 2,700. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.6 percent in October, was down 0.1 percent from the rate in September 2006.

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 75,100.  With 2,000 fewer unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 73,000. The suburban ring’s October 2006 unemployment rate of 2.6 percent was 0.1 percent lower than to the rate in October 2005.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force increased by 24,700 in October 2006. The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area rose by 28,300, and the number of unemployed residents decreased by 3,500. The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate, at 2.9 percent in October 2006, was down 0.1 percent from the rate in September 2006.

Compared to October 2005, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 74,800. Employment increased by 77,300 and unemployment decreased by 2,500.  The Washington Metropolitan Area’s October 2006 unemployment rate was down 0.1 percent from the October 2005 rate of 3.0 percent. 

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

October 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 29, 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).