State's jobless rate edges up in September

Washington state's jobless rate ticked up last month, but unemployment remained close to its historic lows and well within the range seen since the beginning of this year.

The statewide unemployment rate, adjusted for seasonal variations in the labor force, was 4.8 percent in September, up from 4.6 percent recorded in August, according to the state Employment Security Department. The Seattle metro area's seasonally adjusted jobless rate held steady at 3.8 percent.

Since February, the state jobless rate has bounced between 4.4 percent and 4.9 percent. The 4.4 percent reported in April was the state's lowest unemployment rate since the current series of statistics began more than 30 years ago.

However, state labor economist Evelina Tainer noted that both the number of people who reported entering the workforce last month and who said they found jobs "were outsized relative to the past few years," and said the figures should be viewed with caution.

The unemployment rate is determined by a monthly survey that asks if people have jobs, or if not whether they're actively looking for work. It is not, as is sometimes thought, based on how many people collect state unemployment benefits.

Without seasonal adjustments, King County posted a 3.9 percent unemployment rate for September; Snohomish and Kitsap counties both were at 4.2 percent, while Pierce County landed at 4.6 percent.

Statewide, San Juan County had the lowest unadjusted rate at 3.1 percent; Cowlitz, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties were tied for the highest unadjusted rate, 6.2 percent.

Nationally, unemployment rose slightly last month, to 4.7 percent compared with 4.6 percent in August. On Monday, Oregon reported September unemployment at 5.3 percent, compared with 5.4 percent in August.

Typically, Washington state's unemployment report is accompanied by a report on nonfarm payroll jobs, which offers greater insight into the dynamics of the state and local economies. But that report has been delayed a week for some statistical fine-tuning.

Drew DeSilver: 206-464-3145 or ddesilver@seattletimes.com