(Washington, DC)  Today, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced that the Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted April 2007 unemployment rate was 2.9 percent, down 0.1 percent from the March 2007 rate.  The April 2007 rate was also 0.1 percent lower than the rate in April 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 7,700 in April 2007 as employment declined by 4,200 and the number unemployed decreased by 3,500.  The unemployment rate in the Washington Metropolitan Division, at 2.9 percent in April, was down 0.1 percent from the rate in March 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 43,600.   With 600 fewer unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 43,000.  The metropolitan division’s April 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.1 percent from the rate in April 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month in April 2007 by 14,500.  The private sector increased by 12,300 jobs and the public sector gained 2,200 jobs.  Within the private sector, gains were registered in professional and business services and leisure and hospitality (up by 4,300 jobs each), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 1,400 jobs), educational and health services (up by 800 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 700 jobs), financial activities and other services (up by 600 jobs each), and manufacturing (up by 300 jobs).  Information lost 700 jobs over the month.  In the public sector, state government gained 1,600 jobs; the federal government added 1,100 jobs; and local government lost 500 jobs.   

During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 46,900 jobs.  The private sector added 38,500 jobs and the public sector gained 8,400 jobs.  Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 18,400 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 6,600 jobs), educational and health services (up by 5,200 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up by 4,300 jobs), other services (up by 2,200 jobs), financial activities (up by 2,000 jobs), and natural resources, mining and construction (up by 400 jobs). Losses was registered in manufacturing (down by 400 jobs) and information (down by 200 jobs).  In the public sector, state government added 4,000 jobs, local government gained 3,100 jobs and the federal government added 1,300 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 14,000 in April 2007 as employment fell by 10,000 and the number unemployed decreased by 4,000.  The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.5 percent in April, was down 0.2 percent from the rate in March 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 39,600.   With 800 fewer unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 38,800.  The suburban ring’s April 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.1 percent from the rate in April 2006.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force decreased by 13,600 in April 2007.  The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area fell by 8,900 and the number of unemployed residents decreased by 4,700.  The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 2.8 percent in April 2007 was down 0.2 percent from the rate in March 2007.

Compared to April 2006, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 47,700.  Employment increased by 49,200 and unemployment fell by 1,500.  The Washington Metropolitan Area’s April 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.1 percent from the April 2006 rate of 2.9 percent. 

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

April 2007 wage and salary employment estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on May 30, 2007.  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).