State unemployment rate dips to 9.1 percent

Washington state's unemployment rate dipped last month to 9.1 percent from a downwardly revised figure of 9.2 percent in June, the Employment Security Department said this morning.

The state added about 4,000 more nonfarm jobs than it lost during the month, as growth in education, health care, professional services and government offset continued declines in construction, finance and manufacturing, the agency said. July marked the first month of statewide job growth since November 2008, officials said.

Still, the state had 123,200 fewer jobs than a year ago, and an estimated 315,853 people were out of a job and looking for work.

"The July numbers are further evidence that the recession is slowing, but it's too soon to say whether we've turned the corner," said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee, in a statement. "We expect to see ups and downs for some time to come."

The state's slight decline in joblessness mirrors a one-tenth of a percentage-point decline in the national unemployment rate last month to 9.4 percent.

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