Data from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) indicates that the state’s unemployment rate has been increasing for five straight months. ESD’s statistics reveal that the state has not had so many individuals collecting unemployment benefits since September 2021, approximately 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic. As of February, the unemployment rate stood at 4.7%, surpassing the national average of 4%.

According to Anneliese Vance-Sherman, ESD’s Chief Labor Economist, two main trends marked 2023. The first was a slowdown in payroll growth compared to previous years following COVID-19. The second was a cramped labor market featuring low unemployment rates. There was an increased number of people receiving unemployment checks between December and January, with 9,500 more individuals filing claims. In total, 77,692 residents of Washington State received unemployment.

The construction (down 9,300 jobs) and information sector (down 7,800 jobs) experienced the most significant job losses from January 2023 to January 2024. On the other hand, the fields that hired the most were education and health services (up 24,000 jobs), government (up 21,200 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (up 16,000 jobs). Yet, it’s worth noting that leisure and hospitality also witnessed the most jobs lost, particularly in arts, entertainment, and recreation.

Ferry County, in Northeast Washington, holds the highest unemployment rate in the state at 11.1% as of January. Conversely, King County saw more individuals being hired, with the unemployment rate being at the lowest, 4.4%. ESD’s website provides a map detailing each county’s unemployment rates, while the Federal Reserve’s site offers more detailed information.

For anyone affected by job loss or experiencing negative changes in their employment status, there are resources available to offer assistance. For those who need help with any unemployment-related questions or if you need support with EDD benefits, visit eddcaller.com. They offer guides on how to contact EDD, how to get through to EDD, and will provide information on how to reach a representative at EDD.