May 2025
Released June 24, 2025
Released April 18, 2025
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United States Employment Snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 14, and remained unchanged in 24.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 1.8 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in May.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 37 states and fell in 11. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Montana. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Connecticut.
Washington Employment Snapshot
In May, Washington added 500 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.5 percent. In the prior month, Washington lost 2,100 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Washington added 25,500 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point from 4.6 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Washington is tied for 33rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, Washington’s private sector added 3,500 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 23,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Washington lost 1,200 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in Washington fell by 12,099, and over the past 12 months it fell by 18,472.
Washington’s labor force participation rate fell to 62.5 percent in May from 62.7 percent and ranks 29th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.2 percentage points.
Washington Payroll Employment
Washington added 500 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Washington lost 2,100 jobs. Washington nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Washington is tied for 33rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Washington added 3,500 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Washington lost 1,200 jobs. Washington private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 140,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. Washington is tied for 29th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during May were Construction (3,100) and Education and Health Services (1,100).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Professional and Business Services (-1,800) and Government (-3,000).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (22,900) and Professional and Business Services (9,500).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Manufacturing (-4,500) and Construction (-11,200).
Washington Labor Force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Washington fell to 62.5 percent in May from 62.7 percent in the prior month.
Washington ranks 29th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Washington was 65.9 percent in November 2019, and the 10-year low was 62.5 percent in May 2025.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.4 percent in May.