Employers added 5,600 more jobs in Washington state last month. But the statewide unemployment rate as reported by the state Wednesday rose by three-tenths of a point to 6.0 percent.
The rise in the unemployment rate is not necessarily bad news, according to state labor economist Paul Turek.
Turek says the economic recovery has encouraged people on the sidelines to begin job searches in greater numbers than the labor market can absorb right now.
"During periods of economic recovery, it is not too uncommon to see a rise in the unemployment rate when we get more workers moving in, looking for improved job prospects,” Turek said.
Until those job seekers get work, though, they're counted with the unemployed.
This rise in Washington's unemployment rate in October puts it slightly above the national average for the first time in two years.
Like Washington, Oregon added thousands of jobs last month. But in Oregon, labor force growth and hiring is more in sync. The statewide unemployment rate remained steady at 7 percent.
