January 2025
Released March 17, 2025
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United States Employment Snapshot
In January, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 9, rose in 19, and remained unchanged in 23.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent.
In January, payroll jobs rose in 31 states and fell in 19. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Dakota. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in Georgia.
Washington Employment Snapshot
In January, Washington lost 1,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.3 percent. In the prior month, Washington added 12,300 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Washington added 63,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points from 4.6 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Washington is tied for 5th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In January, Washington’s private sector lost 400 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 45,600 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Washington added 12,000 net private payroll jobs.
In January, employment in Washington rose by 5,621, and over the past 12 months it rose by 27,429.
Washington’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 63.1 percent in January and ranks 26th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.7 percentage points.
Washington Payroll Employment
Washington lost 1,100 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Washington added 12,300 jobs. Washington nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Washington is tied for 5th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Washington lost 400 private sector jobs, or 0 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Washington added 12,000 jobs. Washington private sector payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 81,000 jobs in January, or 0.1 percent. Washington is tied for 8th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during January were Professional and Business Services (1,100) and Other Services (800).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Construction (-1,300) and Manufacturing (-1,300).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (26,400) and Government (17,700).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Manufacturing (-1,200) and Construction (-3,800).
Washington Labor Force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Washington remained unchanged at 63.1 percent in January.
Washington ranks 26th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Washington was 65.9 percent in November 2019, and the 10-year low was 62.8 percent occurring in February 2021.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6 percent in January.