Washington Metro’s Unemployment Rate at 4.5 percent

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary May job estimates show an increase of 1,000 jobs for a total of 1,158,500 jobs in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 2,400 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 1,400 jobs. The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted May 2025 unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, which was 0.2 percentage points higher than the revised April 2025 unemployment rate of 4.3 percent. The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division’s unemployment rate was 3.7 percent in May 2024, which was 0.8 percentage points lower than the current unemployment rate of 4.5 percent.

Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The total civilian labor force in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division for May 2025 was 1,008,400, of which 962,900 were employed and 45,400 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 4.5 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,112,600, of which 3,008,800 were employed and 103,800 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.3 percent.  In the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the Washington Metropolitan DC-MD Division, the Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, VA-WV Metropolitan Division, and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Maryland Metropolitan Division, the civilian labor force was 3,526,700, of which 3,399,500, were employed and 127,200 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.6 percent. For the month the unemployment rates for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring increased by 0.2 percentage points each.

Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division’s civilian labor force increased over the year by 2,200, while the number of employed decreased by 5,700, and the number of unemployed increased by 7,800. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 18,300, while the number of employed decreased by 43,200, and the number of unemployed increased by 24,900. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force decreased by 16,000, while the number of employed decreased by 43,900 and the number of unemployed increased by 27,900. For the year, the unemployment rates for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring increased by 0.8 percentage points each.

Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 1,000 jobs. The private sector increased by 2,400 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 1,400 jobs over the month. The private sector had five gains over the month. Job gains were registered in Mining Logging & Construction (500 jobs); Trade Transportation & Utilities (100 jobs); Professional and Business Services (1,500 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (1,200 jobs) and Other Services (700 jobs). The private sector had two losses over the month. Job losses were registered in Financial Activities (-200 jobs); Private Education and Health Services decreased (-1,400). Government overall decreased by 1,400 jobs over the month. The federal government decreased by 1,900 jobs while the state government increased by 100 and local government increased by 400 jobs.

During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased by 9,200 jobs. The private sector increased by 10,900 jobs. The public sector decreased by 1,700 jobs. Job increases were registered in Manufacturing increased (100 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (4,900 jobs); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (800 jobs); Private Education and Health Services (3,100 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (3,700 jobs) and Other Services (1,000 jobs). Job decreases were registered in Information (-600 jobs); Financial Activities (-400 jobs) and Professional and Business Services (-1,700 jobs). Government overall decreased 1,700 jobs. The Federal government decreased 4,900 jobs. The State government increased 3,600 jobs and the local government decreased 400 jobs. 
 
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Explanations
 
Estimated Labor Force and Employment for the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division includes: The District of Columbia, and MD (Charles County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD).
 
The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area include Principal Cities: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Frederick, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Reston, VA; McLean, VA; North Bethesda, MD; Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, VA-WV Metropolitan Division Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Alexandria city, VA; Fairfax city, VA; Falls Church city, VA; Fredericksburg city, VA; Manassas city, VA; Manassas Park city, VA; Jefferson County, WV; Frederick-Gaithersburg-Bethesda, MD Metropolitan Division Frederick County, Montgomery County; Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Prince George's County, MD.
 
Data reflects the 2024 annual benchmark revisions.