The state unemployment rate rose slightly in June to 9.3 percent, up from the revised May rate of 9.1 percent, the Washington State Employment Security Department announced today.
The state lost 10,500 non-farm jobs, seasonally adjusted, officials reported.
Washington's unemployment rate is slightly lower than the 9.5 percent reported nationwide in June.
"Although we are still in recession, the rate of job loss and the rise in unemployment appear to be moderating somewhat," Greg Weeks, head of Employment Security's labor-market information office said in a statement.
The job losses were spread over nearly all sectors, except for leisure and hospitality, and professional and business services which both saw gains.
More details are available here.
Gov. Chris Gregoire said in a statement that she is optimistic, but warned that a recovery will not occur quickly.
"We are beginning to see signs that our economy may be stabilizing and recovering efforts are working, but it will take time," Gregoire said.
Oregon's unemployment rate was 12.1 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate in Idaho was 7.8 percent in May, according to the BLS, and in South Carolina it was 12.1 percent.
