Private-sector growth helped push down Washington’s jobless rate to 9.1 percent in April, and even industries hit hardest by the recession are showing signs of recovery, officials said Wednesday.
In total, the state added 5,800 jobs in April, according to a report from the Employment Security Department. That came despite a drop of 2,500 government jobs.
The construction industry, which was hammered by the economic and housing downturn, led the way by posting 2,400 new jobs in April. Manufacturing added 1,200 jobs. The financial activities sector added 500.
Washington’s jobless rate was 9.2 percent in March and 9.8 percent in April 2010. The state has added an estimated 41,500 jobs over the past year. About 308,000 people were unemployed and looking for work in April.
