(Washington DC) – The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services today announced that the seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate was 6.0% in March 2022; this is a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the revised February 2022 rate of 6.1%. “We are encouraged that the district’s economy and workforce continue to show resilience in the recovery,” DOES Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes said. “As DC employers bring staff back to work and hire new talent at promising rates, the district remains a sought-after destination to live and work.” Preliminary district employment estimates in March show an increase of 1,600 jobs, for a total of 759,400 jobs in the district. The private sector increased by 2,200 jobs. The public sector lost 600 jobs. Figures are taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through its District of Columbia Monthly Employer Survey. The number of District residents employed increased by 800, from 361,500 in February 2022 to 362,300 in March 2022. The District’s civilian workforce increased by 500, from 384,800 in February 2022 to 385,300 in March 2022. The labor force participation rate increased by 0.3 percentage points from 71.8% in February 2022 to 72.1% in March 2022.
Job Overview
- The manufacturing sector remained the same, after remaining the same the previous month. With one job at 1,100 jobs, jobs remained the same or 0% from a year ago.
- The mining, logging and construction sector fell by 100 jobs, after dropping 100 jobs the previous month. With 14,800 jobs, employment was down 200 or 1.33% from a year ago.
- The trade, transport and utilities sector fell by 700 jobs, after increasing by 800 jobs the previous month. With 30,100 jobs, employment was up 1,700 or 5.99% from a year ago
- The information sector remained the same, having increased by 100 jobs the previous month. With 19,600 jobs, employment was up 400 or 2.08% from a year ago.
- The financial activities sector fell by 100 jobs, after increasing by 300 jobs the previous month. With employment at 27,400 jobs, jobs were down 800 jobs or 2.84% from a year ago.
- The professional and business services sector increased by 200 jobs, following an increase of 1,000 jobs the previous month. With 172,500 jobs, employment was up 8,800 or 5.38% from a year ago.
- The education and health services sector increased by 1,200 jobs, following an increase of 2,700 jobs the previous month. With 123,400 jobs, employment was up 600 or 0.49% from a year ago.
- The leisure and hospitality sector increased by 1,800 jobs, following a drop of 900 jobs the previous month. With 60,700 jobs, employment was up 22,800 or 60.16% from a year ago.
- The other services sector fell by 100 jobs, following an increase of 300 jobs the previous month. With 71,400 jobs, employment was up 600 or 0.85% from a year ago.
Labor Force Snapshot
- The number of employed district residents increased by 800 during the month to 362,300. The civilian workforce increased by 500 to 385,300.
- A year ago, total employment was 351,600 and the civilian labor force 376,600.
The number of unemployed was 25,000 and the unemployment rate 6.6%.
NOTES: Final March 2022 and preliminary April 2022 unemployment rates will be released on Friday, May 20, 2022. Historical1 employment and labor force estimates for the District of Columbia and detailed labor market information are available HERE !
Technical Notes: Estimates of employment and unemployment levels in industry are determined using two different monthly surveys. Industry employment data are taken from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, a monthly survey of business establishments conducted by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which provides estimates of employment, hours and income data. broken down by industry for the entire country, all states, and most major metropolitan areas (often referred to as the “establishment” survey). Resident employment and unemployment data come primarily from the district portion of the National Current Population Survey (CPS), a household survey conducted monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau under contract to the BLS, which provides data to the local unemployment statistics (LAUS) program (often referred to as a “household” survey). Industry and household estimates are revised monthly based on additional information from updated survey reports compiled by the BLS. In addition, these estimates are benchmarked (revised) annually based on actual counts of district Unemployment Compensation Act administrative records and other data.
Data reflects 2021 annual benchmark revisions.
Data on employment in industry are not seasonally adjusted.