(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary October job estimates show an increase of 14,400 jobs for a total of 2,675,400 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 6,200 jobs, while the public sector gained 8,200 jobs. The region has seen 60,200 jobs added since October 2015, when the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent.  The Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted October 2016 unemployment rate has improved from one year ago to 4.1 percent – reflecting no significant change from the reported September 2016 unemployment rate.   

 

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

 

The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for October 2016 was 2,645,900, of which 2,538,000 were employed and 107,900 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate was 4.1 percent.  The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 2,934,200, of which 2,827,300 were employed and 106,900 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 3.6 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 3,333,300, of which 3,201,800 were employed and 131,500 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 3.9 percent.  For the month, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the Suburban Ring reflected no significant change from the reported September unemployment rate.

 

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

 

The Washington Metropolitan Division’s civilian labor force increased over the year by 34,900, while the number of employed increased by 38,600, and the number of unemployed decreased by 3,700. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 33,300, while the number of employed increased by 39,400, and the number of unemployed decreased by 6,100.  Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force increased by 42,000, while the number of employed increased by 49,500 and the number of unemployed decreased by 7,500.  For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 0.2 percentage points, while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.3 percentage points each.

 

Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth

 

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 14,400 jobs. The private sector increased by 6,200 jobs, and the public sector increased by 8,200 jobs over the month.  Four private sectors along with the federal, state and local government had over-the-month job gains. Job gains were registered in educational and health services which gained 2,900 jobs; trade, transportation, and utilities gained 3,300 jobs;  professional and business services gained 3,900 jobs; and manufacturing gained 700 jobs.  Five private sectors had over-the-month job losses. Job losses was registered in other services which lost (1,100) jobs; financial activities lost (1,000) jobs; leisure and hospitality lost (100) jobs; information lost (900) jobs; and mining, logging and construction lost (1,500) jobs.  Government overall gained 8,200 jobs over the month. State government gained 1,900 jobs, while the federal government increased by 1,400 jobs, and the local government increased by 4,900 jobs.

 

During the last 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 60,200 jobs. The private sector added 51,000 jobs, while the public sector gained 9,200 jobs. Professional and business services reported the greatest year-over growth, up 20,900 jobs. Six other private sector industries along with the federal, state and local government posted year-over job gains: Educational and health services gained 11,600 jobs; mining, logging and construction gained 2,500 jobs; other services gained 2,500 jobs; leisure and hospitality gained 4,900 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities gained 10,800 jobs; and manufacturing gained 600 jobs. Financial Activities recorded the greatest year-over downturn, down (1,800) 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 2015 annual benchmark revisions.