Washington Unemployment Stats and News
Washington Unemployment Stats
Current and Historical Washington Stats Analysis
As of September, the unemployment rate in Washington state was reported at 5.6 percent; while the national UI rate is at 5 percent. However, the rate in Washington is down from 6.5 percent in January of 2016. The overall outlook is good for the state considering 2017.
In February of 2016, Washington showed the highest job and wage growth across the nation. The state of Washington also prides itself on the Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE), which promotes end encourages employers to hire more individuals with disabilities than any other state.
Why Unemployment Stats Are Valuable
By looking over the data available to you through the DEO and U.S. Department of Labor sites, it can greatly enhance your ability to knowledgeably search for an adequate full-time working position. Knowing which industries are most active in your area can give you a heads-up to making your job search a lot more productive. It can also help you save time from applying in places or industries that are currently in decline.
Washington Unemployment Stats Resources
Knowing salary information is also helpful when searching for new employment. On the Occupational Employment Statistics and Wages page, you can download a statistical spreadsheet showing statewide wage estimates. You can also select various areas of the state to get more detailed salary data. There are more than 800 occupation wage estimates integrated into this tool. Using this data will help determine what salary amount is fair to expect and request when you are interviewing for jobs. Find local resources and labor force information here.
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Washington Unemployment News
Washington Unemployment in the News
In September 2016, Washington government officials announced that the state minimum wage will increase 6 cents on Jan 1, 2017 to $9.53. The change reflects the 0.7 percent increase in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners over the 12-month period from August 2015 to August 2016.
Career and Technical courses are helping students learn market demanding skills in the auto industry. By offering students a way to learn skills in demand throughout the state, future wage earners have a much more hopeful outlook after graduating high school.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Washington celebrates by honoring nine top companies and areas throughout the state that make hiring individuals with disabilities a priority:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland
- Excelsior Youth Center, Spokane
- InsideWorks, Seattle
- Little Anchor Childcare Center, Seattle
- Microsoft
- Snohomish County
- Sodexo - Walla Walla University Team
- Washington Access Fund, Seattle
- Washington State Department of Licensing
Sources:
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/Gov-Comm-honors-employers-hire-disabilies
https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/GCDE
http://www.lni.wa.gov/News/2016/pr160928a.asp
https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/calculate-your-benefit
https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/benefit-extensions
https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment
https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/cc/iblWeb7-0/english
https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/have-this-information-ready
https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/benefit-denials-and-appeals
https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/calculate-your-benefit