(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary August job estimates show a decrease of 22,700 jobs for a total of 2,509,800 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 11,500 jobs, while the public sector lost 11,200 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted August 2014 unemployment rate was 5.7 percent, which is up 0.3 percentage points from the July rate of 5.4 percent.

 

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

 

The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for August 2014 was 2,568,200, of which 2,420,800 were employed and 147,500 were unemployed.  The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 2,855,300, of which 2,705,200 were employed and 150,100 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 5.3 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 3,228,100, of which 3,046,300 were employed and 181,800 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 5.6 percent.  For the month, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Suburban Ring increased by 0.3 percentage points each while the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 0.2 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 21,200, while the number of employed increased by 14,700, and the number of unemployed increased by 6,600. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 8,600, while the number of employed increased by 3,400, and the number of unemployed increased by 5,100.  Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force increased by 14,200, while the number of employed increased by 7,700 and the number of unemployed increased by 6,500.  For the year, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Suburban Ring increased by 0.2 percentage points each, while the unemployment rate for the Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 0.1 percentage point.

 

Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth

 

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased over the month by 22,700 jobs. The private sector decreased by 11,500 jobs, and the public sector decreased by 11,200 jobs over the month.  Two private sectors had over-the-month job gains.  Job gains were registered in manufacturing which gained (600 jobs); and mining, logging and construction gained (1,700 jobs). Seven private sectors along with the federal, state and local government had over-the-month job losses. Job losses were registered in leisure and hospitality which lost (1,700 jobs); other services lost(600 jobs); professional and business services lost (5,300 jobs); financial activities lost (100 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities lost (2,400 jobs); educational and health services lost (3,400 jobs); and information lost (300 jobs). Government overall  lost (11,200 jobs) over the month. State government lost (8,400 jobs), while the federal government decreased  by (300 jobs), and the local government decreased by (2,500 jobs). 

 

During the last 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 9,800 jobs. The private sector added 12,300 jobs, while the public sector lost 2,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality reported the greatest year-over growth, up 8,800 jobs. Four other private sector industries posted year-over job gains: financial activities up (4,100 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities up (3,900 jobs); mining, logging, and construction up (4,900 jobs); and other services up (2,500 jobs). Professional and business services recorded the greatest year-over downturn, down 5,800 jobs. Three other private sector industries posted year-over job losses: information down (3,100 jobs); educational and health services down (1,400 jobs); and manufacturing down (1,600 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.