PORT ANGELES — Gains in the service sector lowered unemployment by about 1 percentage point on the North Olympic Peninsula in April, the state Employment Security Department reported Tuesday.
Clallam County’s unemployment rate fell from a revised 11.1 percent in March to a preliminary 9.9 percent last month.
There were 2,890 Clallam County residents looking for work in a labor force that held steady at about 29,000.
Jefferson County’s unemployment rate fell from a revised 10.4 percent in March to a preliminary 9.6 percent in April, with 1,170 job seekers among a 12,200-member workforce.
“The good news is that unemployment in both Jefferson and Clallam counties has dropped, and both counties have added jobs,” said Elizabeth Court, regional economist with Employment Security.
Clallam County added 230 new jobs since March, and “the vast majority of those are in the private sector,” Court said.
There were 160 new service-providing jobs, mostly in retail and trade, transportation and utilities.
Gearing up for tourist season
“People are probably gearing up for that tourist season that is coming up upon us,” Court said.
Clallam County also added 60 government jobs in April.
Gains in Jefferson County’s service sector outnumbered losses in information and financial activities for a net gain of 10 new jobs.
“The labor force in Jefferson County also stayed just about the same,” Court added.
Unemployment rates were higher in both counties one year ago, at 10.5 percent in Clallam County and 9.8 percent in Jefferson County.
Statewide, Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 8.3 percent in March to an estimated 8.1 percent in April.
The national rate dipped from 8.2 to 8.1 percent last month.
Whitman County in southeast Washington had the state’s lowest unemployment rate — 5.7 percent — in April.
Ferry County in northeast Washington had the state’s highest unemployment rate (13.8 percent), followed by Grays Harbor County, which had a 13.2 percent jobless rate.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
