OLYMPIA, WA – Washington’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.4% in April 2025, according to the latest report from the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD). Despite the steady rate, the state saw a net loss of 5,800 jobs for the month.
Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist at ESD, noted that April marked the third consecutive month of job declines. However, payroll employment remains slightly above April 2024 levels, with a modest year-over-year increase of 1,200 jobs, or 0.03%.
In April, nonfarm employment decreased by 5,200 positions, while government employment declined by 700 jobs. Private sector gains were led by education and health services, which added 3,900 jobs, followed by professional and business services (up 2,200) and wholesale trade (up 700). The most significant monthly job losses occurred in leisure and hospitality (down 4,300), financial activities (down 2,800), and retail trade (down 2,400).
Unemployment claims also declined in April, with ESD paying benefits to 68,859 individuals, a reduction of 5,829 from March. Lower claims in construction, agriculture, and administrative services contributed to the decrease.
Revised figures for March showed the state lost 500 jobs rather than the previously estimated 5,200, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.4%.
Nationally, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2% in April, up from 3.9% in April 2024.
Washington’s labor force shrank by 5,739 people from March to April, totaling 4,051,983. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area, the labor force declined by 2,435 during the same period, while the number of unemployed individuals in that region rose from 98,884 to 101,396.
Over the past year, seven major industry sectors in the state expanded while six contracted. Education and health services led with an annual gain of 11,800 jobs, followed by professional and business services (up 3,400) and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (up 3,100). The manufacturing sector saw the largest annual decline, losing 7,200 jobs, primarily in aerospace products and parts manufacturing.
Government employment grew by 4,200 positions over the past year, while the private sector decreased by 3,000 jobs.
A full breakdown of April’s job changes by sector is available on the Employment Security Department’s website.