BizNomic

The unemployment rate in Washington state rose from 9.3 percent in January to 9.5 percent in February, with the economy dropping 8300 jobs last month. The state officials called this increase “one step back”.

The national unemployment rate for February was 9.7 percent. Nationally, employment declined by 2.5 percent over the past year.

A sector wise analysis reveals that the construction industry shed 3,200 jobs and professional and business services dropped another 2,100 last month. Other industries that saw declines were government, down 900; manufacturing down 900; transportation, warehousing and utilities down 500; information, down 300; leisure and hospitality, down 200; and other services, down 100. The retail trade industry however, added around 400 jobs. Other industries that grew in February were financial activities, up 400; and mining and logging, up 300.

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