Washington's unemployment rate rises to 9.3%

Washington lost an additional 10,500 nonfarm jobs in June, and the state's unemployment rate rose to 9.3 percent, the Employment Security Department said today.

Joblessness was up from a downwardly revised rate of 9.1 percent in May as all but a handful of business sectors pared back their payrolls amid dwindling signs of an economic recovery by year's end.

But there was one glimmer of hope in today's numbers: The pace of job losses between April and June was slower than in the first three months of this year. The state lost an average of 6,800 nonfarm jobs in the past three months, less than half the average of 15,900 from January to March.

"Although we are still in recession, the rate of job loss and the rise in unemployment appear to be moderating somewhat," Greg Weeks, who heads the department's labor-market information office, said in a statement.

The 9.3 percent statewide jobless rate, which is adjusted for seasonal variations, came in just below the U.S. rate of 9.5 percent last month.

In the Seattle metro area, joblessness shot up to 8.8 percent, from a revised 8.1 percent in May.

Over the past 12 months, Washington has lost 117,800 jobs, a 4 percent drop. A year ago, Washington's unemployment rate stood at 5.2 percent.

Around the state, Skamania County in the southwest had the highest rate (not adjusted for seasonal variations), 13.5 percent, while San Juan County had the lowest rate, 5.4 percent.

Only two sectors posted monthly job gains: Leisure and hospitality added 500 jobs in June, while professional and business services created 100 jobs. Three sectors — mining and logging, wholesale trade, and manufacturing — had no payroll changes from May to June. And all other major sectors shed jobs, with government agencies, retailers and construction companies posting some of the biggest losses.

On a year-over-year basis, education and health services made up the state's strongest sector, with a gain of 7,100 jobs, though that was partly offset by a loss of 1,200 jobs last month.

Government jobs ended June up 4,900 from a year ago, despite a decline of 4,600 during the month.

Amy Martinez: 206-464-2923 or amartinez@seattletimes.com