Unemployment rates

Washington and U.S.

Year Washington U.S.
2023 4.1% 3.6%
2022 4.1% 3.6%
2021 5.2% 5.3%
2020 8.5% 8.1%
2019 4.2% 3.7%
2018 4.5% 3.9%
2017 4.6% 4.4%
2016 5.2% 4.9%
2015 5.4% 5.3%
2014 5.9% 6.2%
2013 6.6% 7.4%
2012 7.7% 8.1%
2011 8.5% 8.9%
2010 9.1% 9.6%
2009 8.3% 9.3%
2008 5.2% 5.8%
2007 4.6% 4.6%
2006 5.0% 4.6%
2005 5.6% 5.1%
2004 6.3% 5.5%
2003 7.4% 6.0%

1970-2023

  • Historically, the unemployment rate in Washington has been higher than the U.S. average, due primarily to a relatively high share of resource-based industries in the state which have more volatile seasonal employment patterns.
  • Change in Washington unemployment rates has tracked closely with the U.S. trend, but the difference between the state and the U.S. rates usually widens during the economic downturns.
  • The 2000-2003 run-up in jobless rates was a result of the bursting of the Dot-Com bubble in conjunction with the 9/11 recession; this had a more pronounced impact on the Seattle area because of the localized concentration of Dot-Com start-ups and aerospace employment.
  • The most jump in unemployment rates was related to the breaking of the housing market/equities/commodities bubble which hit Washington and the nation with similar force.
  • U.S. and Washington unemployment rates tracked more closely this last recession than they had historically.

Data source:

E-mail: OFM.Forecasting@ofm.wa.gov

Last updated
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
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