Chelan and Douglas counties show promising labor market recovery, Wenatchee Unemployment Rate Drops To 4.7%

Washington State employers added 5,200 jobs in April and the state's unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.8%, according to a report released by the Employment Security Department.

The job growth was led by gains in the private sector, which added 5,900 jobs, while government employment declined by 700. The construction industry saw the biggest gains, adding 3,100 jobs over the month. Leisure and hospitality, retail trade and other services also posted solid increases.

However, some industries cut jobs in April. Professional and business services shed 2,700 positions, while information employers cut 700 jobs. Manufacturing also lost 100 jobs over the month.

"Washington's economy continues to grow steadily, with respectable job gains across most industries in April," said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, the department's chief economist. "The unchanged unemployment rate suggests the labor market remains tight."

Over the past 12 months, Washington has added 50,600 jobs, a 1.4% increase. Private sector employment has risen by 31,900, or 1.1%, while government employment jumped 18,700, or 3.2%. 

Education and health services posted the biggest year-over-year increase at 18,100, followed by transportation, warehousing and utilities at 13,200. But the information sector lost 8,900 jobs and retail trade shed 3,700 over the year.

The state's labor force participation rate in April was 64.6%, down slightly from 64.8% in March. The national unemployment rate for April was 3.9%.