Unadjusted employment fell by 300 jobs to 130,600. Scott Bailey, regional economist for the Washington Employment Security Department, said that seasonal layoffs in construction, food processing and private educational services accounted for most of the decline.
On a seasonally-adjusted basis, Bailey reported that the county added 400 jobs. Construction, retail trade and professional services all trended above the seasonal norm, he noted.
Initial unemployment claims continued to decline, hitting their lowest level since late 2007.