Thursday, January 4, 2024
(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary November job estimates show an increase of 9,700 jobs for a total of 2,809,600 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 6,000 jobs, while the public sector increased by 3,700 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted November 2023 unemployment rate was 2.7 percent, which was a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from the revised October 2023 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent. The Washington Metropolitan Division’s unemployment rate was 2.9 percent in November 2022, which was 0.2 percentage points higher from the current unemployment rate of 2.7 percent.
Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for November 2023 was 2,821,900, of which 2,744,900 were employed and 76,900 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 2.7 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,105,500, of which 3,037,400 were employed and 68,300 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.2 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 3,506,200, of which 3,418,800 were employed and 87,500 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.5 percent. For the month the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.2 percentage points from the previous month’s rate.
The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for November 2023 was 2,821,900, of which 2,744,900 were employed and 76,900 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 2.7 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,105,500, of which 3,037,400 were employed and 68,300 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.2 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 3,506,200, of which 3,418,800 were employed and 87,500 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.5 percent. For the month the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.2 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 increased over the year by 79,500, while the number of employed increased by 81,900, and the number of unemployed decreased by 2,500. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 68,500, while the number of employed increased by 80,900, and the number of unemployed decreased by 12,200. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force increased by 83,000, while the number of employed increased by 91,800 and the number of unemployed decreased by 8,700. For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division declined by 0.2 percentage points, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area declined by 0.3 percentage points and the unemployment rate for the Suburban Ring declined by 0.5 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 9,700 jobs. The private sector increased by 6,000 jobs, while the public sector increased by 3,700 jobs over the month. Six private sectors had over the month job gains. Job gains were manufacturing (300 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (6,600 jobs); information (1,100 jobs); financial activities (200 jobs). and educational and health services (600 jobs) and other services (1,000 jobs). The private sector losses were mining, logging & construction (-1,800 jobs); professional and business services (-1,300 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (-700 jobs). Government overall increased 3,700 jobs over the month. The federal government increased 500 jobs, state government increased by 1,400 jobs and the local government increased by 1,800 jobs.
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 46,500 jobs. The private sector increased by 35,400 jobs, while the public sector increased by 11,100 jobs. Job increases were registered in mining, logging & construction (600 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (1,800 jobs); information (400 jobs); professional and business services (2,900 jobs); educational and health services (13,000 jobs); leisure and hospitality (10,500 jobs) and other services (7,600 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in manufacturing (-1,300 jobs) and financial activities (-100 jobs). Government overall increased by 11,100. Federal government shows a decrease of 3,700 jobs. State government shows an increase of 10,800 jobs and the local government increased 4,000 jobs.
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 46,500 jobs. The private sector increased by 35,400 jobs, while the public sector increased by 11,100 jobs. Job increases were registered in mining, logging & construction (600 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (1,800 jobs); information (400 jobs); professional and business services (2,900 jobs); educational and health services (13,000 jobs); leisure and hospitality (10,500 jobs) and other services (7,600 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in manufacturing (-1,300 jobs) and financial activities (-100 jobs). Government overall increased by 11,100. Federal government shows a decrease of 3,700 jobs. State government shows an increase of 10,800 jobs and the local government increased 4,000 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 2022 annual benchmark revisions.
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