(Washington, DC)  The Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced today that the Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted October 2007 unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, up 0.1 percent from the September 2007 rate.  The October 2007 rate was 0.2 percent higher than the rate in October 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 6,300 in October 2007 as employment rose by 4,300 and the number unemployed increased by 2,000.  The unemployment rate in the Washington Metropolitan Division, at 3.1 percent in October, was up 0.1 percent from the rate in September 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 8,000.   With 4,100 more unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 12,100.  The metropolitan division’s October 2007 unemployment rate was up 0.2 percent from the rate in October 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month in October 2007 by 9,800.  The private sector increased by 3,000 jobs and the public sector gained 6,800 jobs.  Within the private sector, gains were registered in educational and health services (up by 3,200 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities and professional and business services (up by 2,300 jobs each), and other services (up by 600 jobs).  Losses were registered in leisure and hospitality (down by 2,800 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (down by 1,000 jobs), financial activities (down by 700 jobs), manufacturing (down by 500 jobs), and information (down by 400 jobs).  In the public sector, state government gained 4,000 jobs; local government added 3,100 jobs; and the federal government shed 300 jobs.   

During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 33,400 jobs.  The private sector added 30,700 jobs and the public sector gained 2,700 jobs.  Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 17,100 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 4,500 jobs), leisure and hospitality and other services (up by 2,800 jobs each), financial activities (up by 2,100 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 1,800 jobs), and educational and health services (up by 500 jobs). Manufacturing was unchanged while a loss was registered in information (down by 900 jobs).  In the public sector, state government gained 2,500 jobs and local government added 500 jobs while the federal government lost 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 increased by 10,400 in October 2007 as employment rose by 6,100 and the number unemployed increased by 4,400.  The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.8 percent in October, was up 0.2 percent from the rate in September 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 3,500.   With 5,500 more unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 9,000.  The suburban ring’s October 2007 unemployment rate was up 0.2 percent from the rate in October 2006.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force increased by 10,000 in October 2007.  The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area rose by 6,800 and the number of unemployed residents increased by 3,200.  The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 3.1 percent in October 2007 was up 0.1 percent from the rate in September 2007.

Compared to October 2006, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 9,100.  Employment increased by 3,600 and unemployment rose by 5,500.  The Washington Metropolitan Area’s October 2007 unemployment rate was up 0.2 percent from the October 2006 rate of 2.9 percent. 

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth 

October 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 November 28, 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).