The state unemployment rate in Washington and Oregon was falling at a steady pace in recent years. But lately it's stuck. The latest reading from Washington state released today (Weds.) pegs the state unemployment rate at 5-point-3 percent. That's the same it's been since June. Oregon's jobless rate actually edged up slightly last month to 6.1 percent, as new jobseekers outpaced job creation.
Washington state labor economist Paul Turek says the unemployment rate will probably resume its decline in autumn.
”It will be interesting to see what transpires for the remainder of the year. The expectation is that job growth will continue,” said Turek. “It may not be as robust for instance as it has been previously, but it should be above trend."
Idaho reports its latest jobs numbers on Friday.
Web extras:
- Monthly employment report (WA State Dept. of Employment Security)
- August 2015 jobs report (Oregon Employment Department)
