(WASHINGTON, DC) – The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary March job estimates show an increase of 2,800 jobs for a total of 1,151,300 jobs in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 2,600 jobs, while the public sector increased by 200 jobs. The Washington, DC- MD Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted March 2025 unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, which was unchanged from the revised February 2025 unemployment rate of 4.5 percent. The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division’s unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in March 2024, which was 0.6 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 March 2025 was 1,024,100, of which 977,700 were employed and 46,400 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 3,127,600, of which 3,027,100 were employed and 100,500 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.2 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 3,551,700, of which 3,425,800 were employed and 125,900 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.5 percent. For the month the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division was unchanged while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and Suburban Ring increased by 0.1 percentage point 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 4,600, while the number of employed decreased by 2,000, and the number of unemployed increased by 6,500. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 11,400, while the number of employed decreased by 31,100, and the number of unemployed increased by 19,800. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force decreased by 7,400, while the number of employed decreased by 31,500 and the number of unemployed increased by 24,200. For the year, the unemployment rates for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division, the Suburban Ring and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 0.6 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 2,800 jobs. The private sector increased by 2,600 jobs, while the public sector increased by 200 jobs over the month. The private sector had four gains over the month. Job gains were registered in Mining Logging & Construction (1,200 jobs); Professional and Business Services (1,200 jobs); Private Education and Health Services (300 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (1,200 jobs); The private sector had four losses. The losses were registered in Manufacturing (-100 jobs); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-100 jobs); Financial Activities (-100 jobs) and Other Services (-1,000 jobs). Government overall increased 200 jobs over the month. The federal government decreased by 200 jobs while the state government increased by 900 and local government decreased by 500 jobs. During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased by 7,700 jobs. The private sector increased 3,300 jobs. The public sector increased 4,400 jobs. Job increases were registered in Manufacturing increased (100 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (2,800 jobs); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (900 jobs); Financial Activities (400 jobs); Private Education and Health Services (3,100 jobs). Job decreases were registered in Information (-900); Professional and Business Services (-1,600); Leisure and Hospitality (-200 jobs) and Other Services (-1,300 jobs). Government overall increased 4,400 jobs. The Federal government decreased 2,800 jobs. The State government increased 6,300 jobs and the local government increased 900 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.
