Washington unemployment rate dropped to near-record low in March

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.9 to 4.7 percent in March – the lowest rate since August 2007, according to the state Employment Security Department.

“Washington has one of the better growing economies in the nation,” said Paul Turek, economist for the department. “Strong job growth has pushed the unemployment rate down further as more workers find jobs.”

Washington employers added 10,700 nonfarm jobs in March.

In March last year, the statewide unemployment rate was 5.6 percent.

The national unemployment rate was 4.5 percent this March and 3.3 percent in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area.

Employment Security paid unemployment insurance benefits to 65,733 people in March.

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Cox Media Group