After stabilizing in April, Washington's unemployment rate rose again in May to 9.4 percent as construction, information and government sectors all saw declines of more than 1,000 jobs.
The information sector -- where a number of high-tech jobs are classified -- has lost 3,000 jobs for the year and 1,300 in May alone. Professional and business services -- where other high-tech jobs are classified -- has shed 26,400 jobs since May 2008.
The state's unemployment rate -- which in April stood at 9.1 percent -- is now at the same level as the nation's.
“The economic numbers are volatile right now, and at times contradictory,” said Dr. Greg Weeks of the state Employment Security department. “The recession has been deep and wide, and we’re likely to see ups and downs for awhile.”
The state lost a total of 116,000 jobs from May 2008 to May 2009, a decline of 3.9 percent. And the Employment Security department estimated that 336,000 people were unemployed in May, up from 177,000 for the same period last year.
You can access the full unemployment report here.
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