Washington state’s unemployment rate fell to nine percent during the month of October as employers added 4,600 jobs in education, health services, government and other sectors. It marks the lowest unemployment rate in the state since March 2009.
Government was the leading sector, with 2,900 jobs added in local, federal and higher education.
The new report showed that 31,900 jobs have been added to the economy since October 2010.
The information category — where a number of high-tech positions get classified — was essentially flat with just 100 positions added during the month. In the past 12 months, 500 jobs have been added in the category.
Manufacturing has been the big driver of new jobs in 2011, with the state report showing an addition of 14,900 jobs in the category in the past 12 months. (8,100 of those jobs are in the aerospace and parts manufacturing arena).
Full report here.
