Wednesday, February 5, 2025
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary December job estimates show a decrease of 2,700 jobs for a total of 2,828,300 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 2,000 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 4,700 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted December 2024 unemployment rate was 2.8 percent, which was 0.4 percentage points lower from the revised November 2024 unemployment rate of 3.2 percent. The Washington Metropolitan Division’s unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in December 2023, which was 0.1 percentage point lower than the current unemployment rate of 2.8 percent.
Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for December 2024 was 2,801,400, of which 2,721,900 were employed and 79,500 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 2.8 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,079,000, of which 3,003,100 were employed and 75,900 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.5 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 3,487,300, of which 3,391,100 were employed and 96,200 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.8 percent. For the month the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Areas declined by 0.4 percentage points while the unemployment rate for the Suburban Ring declined by 0.5 percentage points.
The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for December 2024 was 2,801,400, of which 2,721,900 were employed and 79,500 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 2.8 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,079,000, of which 3,003,100 were employed and 75,900 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.5 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 3,487,300, of which 3,391,100 were employed and 96,200 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 2.8 percent. For the month the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Areas declined by 0.4 percentage points while the unemployment rate for the Suburban Ring declined by 0.5 percentage points.
Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data
The Washington Metropolitan Division’s civilian labor force increased over the year by 14,700, while the number of employed increased by 9,400, and the number of unemployed increased by 5,300. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 15,300, while the number of employed increased by 7,100, and the number of unemployed increased by 8,200. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force increased by 21,300, while the number of employed increased by 11,800 and the number of unemployed increased by 9,400. For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 0.1 percentage point while the unemployment rates for the Suburban Ring and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 0.3 percentage points.
Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased over the month by 2,700 jobs. The private sector increased by 2,000 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 4,700 jobs over the month. The private sector had five gains over the month. Job gains were registered in: Manufacturing (400 jobs) Mining Logging & Construction (400 jobs); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (6,100 jobs); Information (600): and Leisure and Hospitality (1,400 jobs). The private sector had four losses registered in Financial Activities (-100 jobs); Professional and Business Services (-4,600 jobs); and Education and Health Services (-200 jobs); and Other Services (-2,000 jobs). Government overall decreased 4,700 jobs over the month. The federal government remained the same, while the state government decreased 1,900 jobs and the local government decreased 2,800 jobs.
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 34,300 jobs. The private sector increased 30,000 jobs, while the public sector increased 4,300 jobs. Job increases were registered in Manufacturing (2,400 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (7,400 jobs); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (4,200 jobs); Professional and Business Services (8,100 jobs); Educational and Health Services (8,400 jobs); and Other Services (3,500 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Financial Activities (-3,000 jobs) and Leisure and Hospitality (-1,000 jobs). Government overall increased 4,300 jobs. The Federal government increased 1,700 jobs. State government shows an increase of 2,300 jobs and the local government increased by 300 jobs.
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 34,300 jobs. The private sector increased 30,000 jobs, while the public sector increased 4,300 jobs. Job increases were registered in Manufacturing (2,400 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (7,400 jobs); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (4,200 jobs); Professional and Business Services (8,100 jobs); Educational and Health Services (8,400 jobs); and Other Services (3,500 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Financial Activities (-3,000 jobs) and Leisure and Hospitality (-1,000 jobs). Government overall increased 4,300 jobs. The Federal government increased 1,700 jobs. State government shows an increase of 2,300 jobs and the local government increased by 300 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 2023 annual benchmark revisions.
