Despite typical seasonal job adds in December, the unemployment rate in Pierce County jumped up 0.4 points in the last month of 2018, to 5.3 percent according to WorkForce Central data.
On one hand, the county saw healthy job adds in Leisure & Hospitality (home to seasonal tourism jobs), but on the other, Professional & Business Services lost 900 jobs, according to preliminary data.
- While seven industries saw job gains in December, most were modest, and were weighed down by losses in Professional & Business Services.
- From December 2017 to December 2018, seven industries experienced job growth. Increases were led by Leisure & Hospitality (up 2,900 jobs), Professional & Business Services (up 1,500 jobs, despite a tumble in December) and Construction (up 1,100 jobs).
- Two industries saw year-over losses, led by Trade, Transportation & Utilities (down 500 jobs) and followed by Education & Health Services (down 300 jobs).
- Overall, nonfarm employers in Pierce County have added 6,100 net jobs to the economy in the past year.
- Pierce County’s December unemployment rate is 0.6 points above Washington state’s rate of 4.7 percent.
View the entire report at the WorkForce Central website.