(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary September job estimates show an increase of 8,800 jobs for a total of 2,515,400 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 10,500 jobs, while the public sector gained 19,300 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted September 2014 unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, which is down 0.5 percentage points from the August rate of 5.7 percent.

 

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

 

The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for September 2014 was 2,558,300, of which 2,425,900 were employed and 132,400 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate was 5.2 percent.  The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 2,835,200, of which 2,702,800 were employed and 132,400 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 4.7 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 3,214,200, of which 3,052,100 were employed and 162,100 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 5.0 percent.  For the month, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.5 percentage points each while the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area decreased by 0.6 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 12,200, while the number of employed increased by 17,200, and the number of unemployed decreased by 5,000. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 6,900, while the number of employed increased by 1,600, and the number of unemployed decreased by 8,500.  Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force increased by 3,800, while the number of employed increased by 12,500 and the number of unemployed decreased by 8,700.  For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 0.2 percentage points, while the unemployment rates for the 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 8,800 jobs. The private sector decreased by 10,500 jobs, and the public sector increased by 19,300 jobs over the month.  One private sector along with the state and local government had over-the-month job gains.  Job gains were registered in educational and health services which gained (8,200 jobs). Eight private sectors along with the federal government had over-the-month job losses. Job losses were registered in manufacturing which lost (800 jobs);mining, logging and construction lost (600 jobs);leisure and hospitality lost (6,100 jobs); other services lost(1,800 jobs); professional and business services lost (7,600 jobs); financial activities lost (300 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities lost (1,200 jobs); and information lost (300 jobs). Government overall  gained (19,300 jobs) over the month. State government gained (6,700 jobs), while the federal government decreased  by (500 jobs), and the local government increased by (13,100 jobs). 

 

During the last 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 8,000 jobs. The private sector added 9,900 jobs, while the public sector lost 1,900 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality reported the greatest year-over growth, up 7,300 jobs. Four other private sector industries along with the state and local government posted year-over job gains: financial activities up (4,700 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities up (3,800 jobs); mining, logging, and construction up (5,600 jobs); and other services up (1,300 jobs). Educational and health services recorded the greatest year-over downturn, down 4,900 jobs. Three other private sector industries along with the federal government posted year-over job losses: information down (1,600 jobs); professional and business services down (4,300 jobs); and manufacturing down (2,000 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, and Warren; 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 2013 annual benchmark revisions.