(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary September job estimates show an increase of 3,700 jobs for a total of 1,084,800 jobs in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 400 jobs, while the public sector increased by 4,100 jobs.  The Washington, DC- MD Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted September 2026 unemployment rate is 4.5 percent, which is 0.5 percentage points lower than the revised August 2026 unemployment rate of 5.0 percent.  The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division’s unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in September 2025, which was 0.9 percentage points higher 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 September 2026 was 982,600, of which 938,100 were employed and 44,400 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 3,033,200, of which 2,928,700 were employed and 104,600 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 3.4 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 3,435,000, of which 3,309,100 were employed and 125,900 were unemployed.  The unemployment rate for this area was 3.7 percent.  For the month the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 0.5 percentage points while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and Suburban Ring decreased 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 decreased over the year by 16,200, while the number of employed decreased by 5,100, and the number of unemployed decreased by 11,200.  The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 57,000, while the number of employed decreased by 47,100, and the number of unemployed decreased by 9,800.  Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force decreased by 61,500, while the number of employed decreased by 45,400 and the number of unemployed decreased by 16,100.  For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 0.9 percentage points, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area decreased by 0.4 percentage points and the unemployment rate for the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.3 percentage points.

Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 3,700 jobs. The private sector decreased over the month by 400 jobs, while the public sector increased by 4,100 jobs over the month. The private sector had two gains over the month. The gains were registered in: Professional and Business Services (800 jobs) and Private Education and Health Services (1,900 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Mining, Logging & Constructing (-600 jobs); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-200 jobs); Financial Activities (-600 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (-1,200 jobs); and Other Services (-500 jobs).  Overall, the government increased by 4,100 jobs over the month. The federal government increased by 1,100 jobs, while the State government increased by 700 jobs and local government increased by 2,300 jobs.                                                                                   
During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 41,400 jobs. The private sector decreased by 16,000 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 25,400 jobs. The private sector losses were registered in Manufacturing (-200 jobs); Mining Logging & Construction (-200 jobs) Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-1,800 jobs); Information (-600 jobs); Financial Activities (-300 jobs); Professional and Business Services (-7,300 jobs); Private Educational and Health Services (-900 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (-4,100 jobs); and Other Services (-600 jobs). Government overall decreased by 25,400 jobs. The Federal government decreased 26,300 jobs.  State government decreased 200 jobs, and the local government increased 1,100 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 2025 annual benchmark revisions.