(Washington, D.C.) - The Department of Employment Services (DOES), announced that the Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percent to 6.4 percent in September 2009. This resulted in a 2.3 percent increase from September 2008.

Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment 

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 29,300 in September 2009 as the number of employed declined by 32,200 while those who were unemployed rose by 2,700.

Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 74,100. With 53,800 more unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force decreased by 20,200. 

Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased over the month by 14,600. The private sector decreased by 7,900 jobs while the public sector increased by 6,700 jobs. Within the private sector, only educational and health services gained jobs (+6,500 jobs). Losses were registered in leisure and hospitality (-6,400 jobs), professional and business services (-5,000 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (-900 jobs), financial activities and mining, logging and construction (-500 jobs each), information and other services (-400 jobs each), and manufacturing (-300 jobs). In the public sector, the local government gained 4,300 jobs; while the state government lost 8,200 jobs and the federal government lost 2,800 jobs.

During the last twelve months, the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 42,700 jobs. The private sector lost 47,100 jobs while the public sector gained 4,400 jobs. In the private sector, only educational and health services gained jobs (+3,800 jobs). All other sectors experienced over the year job losses: mining, logging and construction (-13,700 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (-11,300 jobs), professional and business services (-6,700 jobs), information (-5,800 jobs), leisure and hospitality (-4,300 jobs), financial activities (-3,800 jobs), other services (-2,700 jobs), manufacturing (-2,600 jobs). In the public sector, federal government gained 9,400 jobs; the state government added 5,500 jobs; while the local government lost 10,500 jobs.

Statistical Area Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment

The civilian labor force in the suburban ring of communities surrounding the District of Columbia decreased by 31,500 in September 2009: the number of employed residents decreased by 33,700, while the number of unemployed residents increased by 2,200. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 5.5 percent in September 2009, was 0.1 percent higher than the rate in August 2009.

Over the year, there was a decrease of 67,600 employed residents in the suburban ring. With 53,300 more unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force decreased by 14,300. The suburban ring’s September 2009 unemployment rate was up 2.0 percent from September 2008.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of employed residents decreased by 36,600. With 3,700 more unemployed metropolitan area residents, the civilian labor force in the metropolitan area decreased by 32,900 in September 2009. The unemployment rate in the metropolitan area, at 6.2 percent in September 2009, was 0.2 percent lower than the rate in August 2009.

Compared to September 2008, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force decreased by 19,100. The number of employed decreased by 85,900 and the number of unemployed rose by 66,900.  The Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s September 2009 unemployment rate was up 2.3 percent from the September 2008 rate of 3.9 percent.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

September 2009 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 October 28, 2009. 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).

For more information click on the below links:

Metro Area Wage and Salary Employment by Industry and Place of Work*

Employment Status for the Civilian Population*