(Washington, DC) – The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services reported today that the seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate was 8.6 percent in June; this was a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from the reported May rate.

The District’s preliminary June job estimates show an increase of 12,700 jobs, for a total of 740,300 jobs in the District. The private sector increased by 9,700 jobs.  The public sector increased by 3,000 jobs. The numbers are drawn from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through its monthly survey of the District of Columbia’s employers. “Increasing equitable opportunities for all residents to secure jobs that provide livable wages and promote economic advancement remains a priority for the Bowser Administration,” said DOES Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes. “As we continue to assess the economic impact of COVID-19, we are laser-focused on being responsive to the needs of District workers and employers to ensure the highest quality of life for all residents."

The number of employed District residents increased by 7,200 from 353,800 in May 2020 to 361,000 in June 2020. The civilian labor force for the District increased by 7,100 from 387,800 in May 2020 to 394,900 in June 2020. The labor force participation rate increased by 1.2 percentage points from 66.9 percent in May 2020 to 68.1 percent in June 2020.

Employment Overview

• Manufacturing sector remained the same, after remaining the same as the prior month.  With employment at 1,200 jobs, jobs decreased by 200 or 14.29 percent from a year ago.
• Mining, Logging and Construction sector increased by 1,000 jobs, after an increase of 500 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 14,900 jobs, jobs decreased by 300 or 1.97 percent from a year ago.
• Trade Transportation and Utilities sector increased by 600 jobs, after a decrease of 500 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 30,200 jobs, jobs decreased by 3,200 or 9.58 percent from a year ago.
• Information sector decreased by 300 jobs, after a decrease of 1,400 in the prior month. With employment at 18,700 jobs, jobs decreased by 1,600 or 7.88 percent from a year ago.
• Financial Activities sector decreased by 100 jobs, after an increase of 200 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 29,300 jobs, jobs decreased by 800 jobs or 2.66 percent from a year ago.
• Professional and Business Services sector decreased by 200 jobs, after a decrease of 3,800 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 165,200 jobs, jobs decreased by 6,900 or 4.01 percent from a year ago.
• Educational and Health Services sector decreased by 1,400 jobs, after a decrease of 3,200 in the prior month. With employment at 118,100 jobs, jobs decreased by 9,200 or 7.23 percent from a year ago.
• Leisure and Hospitality sector increased by 9,700 jobs, after a decrease of 2,200 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 44,200 jobs, jobs decreased by 39,400 or 47.13 percent from a year ago.
• Other Services sector increased by 400 jobs, after an increase of 100 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 77,100 jobs, jobs decreased by 1,100 or 1.41 percent from a year ago.

Labor Force Overview

• The number of employed District residents increased by 7,200 over the month to 361,000. The civilian labor force increased by 7,100 to 394,900.
• One year ago, total employment was 387,300 and the civilian labor force was 409,500.

           The number of unemployed was 22,200, and the unemployment rate was 5.4 percent.

NOTES: The June 2020 final and July 2020 preliminary unemployment rates, will be released on Friday, August 21, 2020. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for the District of Columbia and detailed labor market information iare available here.

Technical Notes: Estimates of industry employment and unemployment levels are arrived through the use of two different monthly surveys.

Industry employment data is derived from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, a monthly survey of business establishments conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor, which provides estimates of employment, hours, and earnings data broken down by industry for the nation as a whole, all states, and most major metropolitan areas (often referred to as the “establishment” survey).

Resident employment and unemployment data are mainly derived from the District’s portion of the national Current Population Survey (CPS), a household survey conducted each month by the US Census Bureau under contract with BLS, which provides input to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program (often referred to as the “household” survey).

Both industry and household estimates are revised each month based on additional information from updated survey reports compiled by BLS. In addition, these estimates are benchmarked (revised) annually based on actual counts from the District’s Unemployment Compensation Law administrative records and other data.

Data reflects 2019 annual benchmark revisions. Industry employment data is not seasonally adjusted.