(Washington, DC) - The unemployment rate in the District rose by 0.3 percent to 11.4 percent in September, according to data released today by the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES).

The national unemployment rate for September was 9.8 percent, up from 9.7 percent in August.

At 700,000 jobs, the District's jobs are down 3,600 or just 0.5 percent from a year ago. Nationally jobs have dropped - 4.2 percent over the same time period. Total jobs in the District last month declined by 15,400, with net losses entirely due to the last of the Summer Youth Employment Program participants (-16,000)exiting the program.

The Education and Health Services Sector, a key high growth sector in the District, saw an increase over the month of +3,100 jobs, mostly due to an increase in Educational Services. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities had modest job gains, while Professional and Business Services lost the most jobs over the month (-700).

The largest sector in DC, federal government, grew over the year by 5,900.

Employment Overview

Education and Health Services added 3,100 jobs after dropping 100 jobs the prior month. Within Education and Health Services, Education Services added 3,900 jobs while Health Care and Social Assistance shed 800 jobs. Since April, this sector has shed 6,800 jobs after gaining 3,800 jobs in the prior three months. With employment at 103,400 in September, jobs are up 200 jobs from a year ago.
 
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities gained 300 jobs in September after losing 100 jobs in August. Retail Trade added 400 jobs, while Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities lost 100 jobs. Since January, the sector has lost 400 jobs. With employment of 26,700, the sector is down 1,200 jobs or 4.3 percent from a year ago.

Professional and Business Services lost 700 jobs following a 2,300 job loss in August. Most of the job losses in this sector came from Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. However, temporary help agencies, within Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services, showed some recovery signs by adding 200 jobs. Since January, employment services have added 900 jobs. With employment at 150,000 in September, jobs are down 2,500 or 1.6 percent from a year ago.
 
Leisure and Hospitality lost 200 jobs, following a loss of 900 jobs in August. September is the third consecutive month the sector has lost jobs after having gained 2,300 jobs in the first half of this year. With employment at 58,800, jobs are down 400 over the year.

Information lost 200 jobs in September, following a loss of 100 jobs in August. At 19,000, employment is down 1,300 or 6.4 percent from one year ago.

Other Services lost 100 jobs in September. With employment at 64,200, jobs are down 1,700 or 2.6 percent from one year ago.

Construction lost 100 jobs in September. At 12,300, employment is down 700 or 5.4 percent from a year ago.
Financial Activities was unchanged in September, with gains in Real Estate and Rental and Leasing offset by losses in Finance and Insurance. At 27,100, employment is down 1,100 or 3.9 percent from a year ago.
Manufacturing was unchanged in September. Employment in Manufacturing has remained constant since January. At 1,300, employment is down 300 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 increased by 3,400 in September, with 1,800 more residents employed and 1,600 more residents unemployed.  At 327,800, the labor force was down 6,400 from September 2008 with 19,000 fewer residents employed and 12,600 more 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 October 2009 unemployment rate and survey of jobs data for the District will be released on Friday, November 20, 2009. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for District of Columbia and detailed labor market information is available at www.does.dc.gov.

For more information click on the below links:

District of Columbia Wage and Salary Employment by Industry and Place of Work*

Employment Status for the Civilian Population*