(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary June job estimates show an increase of 15,100 jobs for a total of 2,634,800 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 14,500 jobs, while the public sector increased by 600 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted June 2021 unemployment rate was 5.4 percent, which was 0.5 percentage points higher than the revised May 2021 rate of 4.9 percent.  The Washington Metropolitan Division’s unemployment rate was 8.8 percent in June 2020, which was 3.4 percentage points higher than the current unemployment rate of 5.4 percent.

Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data   The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for June 2021 was 2,694,800, of which 2,548,700 were employed and 146,100 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate was 5.4 percent.  The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 2,963,200, of which 2,803,900 were employed and 159,300 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 5.4 percent.  In the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Maryland Metropolitan Division, the civilian labor force was 3,374,000, of which 3,185,000 were employed and 189,000 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 5.6 percent.  For the month, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 0.5 percentage points, while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring increased by 0.6 percentage points from the previous month’s rate.

Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data

The Washington Metropolitan Division’s civilian labor force decreased over the year by 44,100, while the number of employed increased by 52,100, and the number of unemployed decreased by 96,200.  The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 70,600, while the number of employed increased by 33,700, and the number of unemployed decreased by 104,200.  Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force decreased by 60,600, while the number of employed increased by 50,700 and the number of unemployed decreased by 111,300.  For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division declined by 3.4 percentage points, the unemployment rate for the Suburban Ring declined by 3.3 percentage points, and the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area decreased by 3.1 percentage points from a year ago.

Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 15,100 jobs. The private sector increased by 14,500 jobs, while the public sector increased by 600 jobs over-the-month. Two private sectors had over-the-month job loss. Job decreases were registered in information services (-100 jobs) and educational and health services (-6,600 jobs). One private sector has remained the same over the month, which is manufacturing.  Job increases were registered in mining, logging, and construction (2,300 jobs). trade transportation & utilities (3,000 jobs); financial activities (100 jobs); professional and business services (3,900 jobs); leisure and hospitality services (9,500 jobs) and other services (2,400 jobs).  Government overall increased by 600 jobs over the month. The federal government increased 500 jobs, state government decreased by 5,800 jobs and the local government increased by 5,900 jobs.

During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 134,100 jobs. The private sector increased by 118,000 jobs, while the public sector increased by 16,100 jobs. The private sector loss was registered in information (-900 jobs) and financial activities (-2,600 jobs). Job increases were registered in manufacturing (2,000 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (4,000 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (20,100 jobs); professional and business services (17,000 jobs); educational and health services (21,300 jobs); leisure and hospitality services (54,000 jobs) and other services (3,100 jobs). The private sector increased by 16,100 jobs.  Federal government shows an increase of 4,000 jobs, while State government increased 1,600 jobs and the local government increased 10,500 jobs.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Explanations

Estimated Labor Force and Employment for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division includes: The District of Columbia, Virginia Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park and the Virginia Counties of Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, Rappahannock and Culpeper; the Maryland Counties of Calvert, Charles, and Prince Georges; and the West Virginia County of Jefferson.

The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be the summation of the estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division (contained in this release) and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division (to be released by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation).

Data reflects the 2020 annual benchmark revisions.

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