The Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) announces the 2024 nominees for the Governor’s Employer Awards. These awards honor public and private employers statewide for their exemplary work recruiting, hiring, retaining and promoting workers with disabilities. Employer of the Year Award nominees listed in alphabetical order by city: Washington businesses, agencies, organizations and […]
Unemployment rate rises slightly as the labor market cools
Washington’s economy shed an estimated 100 jobs (seasonally adjusted), and the July unemployment rate rose to 4.9%. “Washington’s labor market is in a holding pattern,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist for the Employment Security Department. “July marked the fifth consecutive month with an unemployment rate in the 4.8% to 4.9% range. Payroll employment shows a […]
State leaders, program recipients celebrate major Paid Family & Medical Leave milestones
TACOMA – In the five years since Washington launched one of the nation’s most generous paid family and medical leave programs, customers have submitted more than 1 million applications and have received more than $5 billion in benefits. On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee, Employment Security Department Commissioner Cami Feek, legislators, customers and community leaders highlighted the growing impact […]
Payroll employment ticked up in June; unemployment remained at 4.9%
Washington’s economy added an estimated 7,100 jobs (seasonally adjusted), and the June unemployment rate remained at 4.9% for the second month in a row. “The unemployment rate has been climbing slowly over the past several months but held steady over the month and has remained below 5% since summer 2021,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor […]
Free military job and resource fair comes to Tacoma
The military community is invited to meet with recruiters from more than 60 private and government employers at an in-person job and resource fair. The event is free and open to members and families in all branches of the military: active duty, National Guard, Reserves and veterans, as well as Department of Defense employees. Full-time […]
Payroll employment continued to increase in May; unemployment ticks up to 4.9%
Washington’s economy added an estimated 16,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted), and the monthly unemployment rate bumped up to 4.9% from April to May 2024. “The labor market is continuing to cool, but remains relatively healthy,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist for the Employment Security Department. “Despite signs of cooling, Washington businesses collectively added several thousand […]
Washington’s average wage increases 5.9% in 2023
Washington’s average annual wage grew by 5.9% in 2023 to $89,138, according to the state Employment Security Department. The average wage grew more in 2023 than in 2022, when it grew by 2%. Employment Security uses the average annual wage to calculate: The state Department of Labor & Industries also uses the average annual wage to calculate […]
Payroll employment continues to increase in April; unemployment holds steady at 4.8%
Washington’s economy added an estimated 5,200 jobs (seasonally adjusted) and the monthly unemployment rate remained at 4.8% from March to April 2024. “Job growth is still trending up, but overall growth has slowed in recent months as net employment – the difference between job gains and job losses – continues to increase in some industries […]
Payroll employment continues increase in March; unemployment rises to 4.8%
Washington’s economy added an estimated 5,300 jobs (seasonally adjusted) and the monthly unemployment rate rose from 4.7% in February to 4.8% in March. Last month’s unemployment rate is the highest recorded rate since 2021, surpassing the previous high mark set in February. It also marked the sixth consecutive month of increasing unemployment rates in Washington. […]