Washington State Unemployment Rate Increased to 5.0% in January 2026

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:30:16 +0000
Employment & Labor

Washington's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.0% in January 2026, up from 4.9% in December 2025, representing the highest rate since 2021. The state economy added 2,800 jobs in January, while total nonfarm employment grew by 9,100 jobs (0.3%) over the year. Private sector jobs increased by 8,200 while public sector jobs decreased by an estimated 5,400.