Washington State's Jobless Increases

While Oregon’s jobless rate went down last month, Washington State's increased from 8.2 to 8.3% last month.  But the good news is the state added 11,700 jobs.  The increase was mostly due to more unemployed people re-entering the job market.  Sectors that saw the most job growth in May included: professional and business services; transportation, warehousing and utilities; wholesale trade; manufacturing; and construction.  Government employment lost an estimated 2,600 jobs in May, leisure and hospitality lost 200 jobs, and the information sector lost an estimated 100 jobs.