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June 21, 2006
Washington Metropolitan Division's Unemployment Rate Remains at 3.0 Percent in May 2006
(Washington, DC) The Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced that the Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2006 was 3.0 percent, unchanged from the April 2006 rate. However, the May 2006 rate was 0.6 percent lower than the rate in May 2005.
“The May unemployment rates in the Washington Metropolitan Division and Area, 3.0 and 2.9 percent respectively, remain substantially below the US rate of 4.4 percent and continues to rank among the lowest for a major metropolitan area,” said Gregg Irish, director of the Department of Employment Services.
Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 59,900. With 13,700 fewer unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 46,300. The metropolitan division’s May 2006 unemployment rate of 3.0 percent was 0.6 percent lower than the 3.6 percent rate in May 2005.
 
Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month in May 2006 by 15,200. The private sector increased by 12,300 jobs, and the public sector gained 2,900 jobs. Within the private sector, gains were registered in leisure and hospitality (up by 5,000 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 2,500 jobs), professional and business services (up by 2,300 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 1,900 jobs), financial activities (up by 600 jobs), information and other services (up by 300 jobs each), and manufacturing (up by 200 jobs). Educational and health services lost 800 jobs over the month. In the public sector, local government added 1,700 jobs, the federal government gained 700 jobs, and state government added 500 jobs.
During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 60,600 jobs. The private sector gained 56,000 jobs and the public sector added 4,600 jobs. Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 24,300 jobs), educational and health services (up by 10,800 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 8,100 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction and leisure and hospitality (up by 5,300 jobs each), financial activities (up by 1,500 jobs), other services (up by 1,000 jobs), and manufacturing (up by 200 jobs). Information lost 500 jobs. In government, local government gained 6,400 jobs and state government added 200 jobs while the federal government lost 2,000 jobs.
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate
The civilian labor force in the suburban ring of communities surrounding the District of Columbia increased by 8,200 in May 2006 as employment rose by 7,200 and the number unemployed increased by 1000. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.6 percent in May, was unchanged from the rate in April 2006.
Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 76,000. With 11,100 fewer unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 64,900. The suburban ring’s May 2006 unemployment rate of 2.6 percent was 0.5 percent lower than the rate in May 2005.
For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force increased by 12,200 in May 2006. The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area rose by 9,500, and the number of unemployed residents increased by 2,700. The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 2.9 percent in May 2006 was unchanged from the rate in April 2006.
Compared to May 2005, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 61,700. Employment increased by 76,800, and unemployment decreased by 15,100. The Washington Metropolitan Area’s May 2006 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than the May 2005 rate of 3.5 percent.
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth
May 2006 wage and salary employment estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on June 28, 2006. The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be the summation of the estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division (contained in this release) and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division (to be released by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation).
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