Washington state’s economy added an estimated 7,100 jobs (seasonally adjusted), and the June unemployment rate remained at 4.9% for the second month in a row, according to the Employment Security Department.

“The unemployment rate has been climbing slowly over the past several months but held steady over the month and has remained below 5% since summer 2021,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist for the Employment Security Department.

“Washington businesses collectively added about 7,000 new jobs in June — with a great deal of variation by industry.”

The national unemployment rate increased from 4.0% in May to 4.1% in June. For comparison, the national unemployment rate (revised) for June 2023 was 3.6%.

Clallam County’s unemployment rate for June 2024 was 4.9% — tied for 12th-highest in Washington state.

From May to June 2024, the number of people who were unemployed statewide decreased slightly from 195,546 to 195,191.

The state’s labor force in June stood at 4,019,076 – an increase of 2,342 people from the previous month.

Eight major industry sectors expanded while four contracted from May to June.

Private sector employment increased by 6,600 jobs from May to June. Government employment increased by 500 jobs.

The largest sector-level gains in private industry were in construction (up 2,400 jobs), professional and business services (up 1,800 jobs), and other services (up 1,400 jobs). The largest gains in the construction sector were for specialty trade contractors (up 1,500 jobs). The highest one-month gains in professional and business services were in professional, scientific and technical services (up 2,000 jobs).

Gains in the other services sector (up 1,400) were in every industry captured in this report. The largest gains were in repair and maintenance (up 600).

Four sectors saw decreases in employment: information (down 200); retail trade (down 300); education and health services (down 400); and manufacturing (down 1,100).