Retailers led all private-sector employers in Washington State in August job creation. This was important in improving July’s 10.2% unemployment rate to 8.5% in August
Retailers created an estimated 4,300 jobs in August compared to 3,900 in professional and business services and 1,000 in transportation, warehousing and utilities, the three healthiest non-government employers. Governments added 13,100 jobs in August, according to the latest Employment Security Department update.
“The swings in payroll employment have been sizeable since March,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Although the jobs market continues to heal, August marks a slowdown from the initial hiring rebound from reopening.”
As jobs slowly return, unemployment claims are dropping. The 508,568 people collecting benefits in August was 81,833 fewer than in July.
Industries hurt the most by the pandemic include leisure and hospitality, down 100,500 jobs; manufacturing, down 27,800 jobs; and education and health services, down 24,700 jobs.
