Washington unemployment rate steady at 5.3 percent in July

Washington state’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in July, holding even with the national jobless rate, state officials said Wednesday.

In all, 97,000 Nevadans were unemployed and looking for work in July, compared with almost 200,000 in 2010. Fewer people were actively looking for work in July than in June and the decline in the jobless rate reflected that, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.

The number of unemployed people decreased to 580,000 in in July from 595,000 in the preceding month.

Two different surveys are used to calculate unemployment figures and job losses and gains. The average hourly wage for private sector payroll employees was $23.31 in July, up 2.4 percent from $22.77 a year earlier. It’s the second largest gain since mid-2006.

Washington state economist Paul Turek said labor “is just beginning” to shift into tight supply.

Rather than layoffs, state employment economist Nick Beleiciks attributed much of the increase to people entering the labor market or voluntarily leaving their jobs. “Initial unemployment insurance claims are trending downward”.

Job growth for July was strong in many industries, particularly construction, retail trade and professional and business services.

It held at 7.1 percent between January and April, following its first month-over-month increase in more than four years as recorded between December 2014 and January 2015.

Leisure and hospitality, the state’s primary economic driver, saw the largest gain in sheer numbers, with more than 20,000 new positions.