OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington’s unemployment rate dipped just slightly in January, but improved from this time last year.
The state’s unemployment rate dropped slightly from 4.5% in December to 4.3% in January. The unemployment rate was 4.6% in January 2024.
Spokane’s unemployment rate is above the state average at 5.2%.
The state says the largest job growth this year has come from tech jobs, while jobs in construction and manufacturing dropped.
A broader look shows Washington businesses added about 24,000 jobs between January 2024 and January 2025, marking a 1.9% increase in employment over that year.
Public sector employment had the highest jump in that time, adding 17,600 jobs.
You can read the full monthly report at this link.
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