OLYMPIA — Washington’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.1% in March, the state Employment Security Department reported Wednesday, while the economy lost an estimated 3,200 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis. Industry changes in March were modest—Construction added 1,700 jobs, while leisure and hospitality lost 1,700 and government shed 1,100.
The rate was unchanged from February’s revised 5.1% but higher than the 4.5% recorded in March 2025. The number of unemployed Washingtonians edged up to 209,044 from 208,125 the previous month.
The state’s labor force stood at about 4.06 million. Over the past year, Washington has added 13,500 jobs—a 0.4% increase.
Nationally, the unemployment rate remained at 4.3% in March, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unchanged from February and below Washington’s rate.
County-specific unemployment rates and employment figures for March are scheduled for release on May 5. The most recent available data for Snohomish County showed a 5.7% unemployment rate in February 2026, down from January 2026 with a rate of 6%.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
