OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington’s unemployment rate was at 9.3 percent in December, continuing a trend of slow growth since the summer.
The 9.3 percent rate reported Wednesday is just one-tenth of a percentage point higher than the November jobless rate. The jobless rate also stood at 9.2 percent a year ago.
The state Employment Security Department says employers added about 2,100 jobs last month. Manufacturing and retail posted the biggest gains, while the largest job losses were seen in construction and finance.
State officials also say Washington’s economy added about 8,000 jobs during 2010. That balances stronger private-sector job growth against losses in government jobs.
