(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary October job estimates show an increase of 23,100 jobs for a total of 2,534,000 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector increased by 15,200 jobs, while the public sector gained 7,900 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted October 2014 unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, which is down 0.4 percentage points from the September rate of 5.2 percent. 

 

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

 

The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for October 2014 was 2,572,500, of which 2,448,300 were employed and 124,100 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate was 4.8 percent.  The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 2,847,600, of which 2,722,600 were employed and 125,000 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 4.4 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 3,230,400, of which 3,077,800 were employed and 152,600 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 4.7 percent.  For the month, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 0.4 percentage points while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.3 percentage points each.

 

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

 

The Washington Metropolitan Division’s civilian labor force increased over the year by 29,300, while the number of employed increased by 51,900, and the number of unemployed decreased by 22,700. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 11,900, while the number of employed increased by 35,200, and the number of unemployed decreased by 23,400.  Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force increased by 27,700, while the number of employed increased by 56,300 and the number of unemployed decreased by 28,700.  For the year, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area decreased by 1.0 percentage points each, while the unemployment rate for the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.8 percentage points.

 

Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth

 

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 23,100 jobs. The private sector increased by 15,200 jobs, and the public sector increased by 7,900 jobs over the month.  Six private sectors along with the federal, state and local government had over-the-month job gains.  Job gains were registered in educational and health services which gained (8,600 jobs); mining, logging and construction gained(1,600 jobs); other services gained (1,000 jobs); professional and business services gained (3,200 jobs); financial activities gained (100 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities gained (2,500 jobs). Three private sectors had over-the-month job losses. Job losses were registered in manufacturing which lost (700 jobs); leisure and hospitality lost (100 jobs); and information lost (1,000 jobs). Government overall  gained (7,900 jobs) over the month. State government gained (2,800 jobs), while the federal government increased  by (500 jobs), and the local government increased by (4,600 jobs). 

 

During the last 12 months, employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 14,800 jobs. The private sector added 13,600 jobs, while the public sector gained 1,200 jobs. Mining, Logging and Construction reported the greatest year-over growth, up 9,200 jobs. Five other private sector industries along with the state and local government posted year-over job gains: financial activities up (4,100 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities up (1,000 jobs); other services up (1,000 jobs) professional and business services up (300 jobs); and leisure and hospitality up (5,800 jobs). Educational and health services recorded the greatest year-over downturn, down 3,400 jobs. Two other private sector industries along with the federal government posted year-over job losses: information down (2,500 jobs); and manufacturing down (1,900 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.