Jobless rates rose by 1 percentage point in Clallam and Jefferson counties last month despite a gain of 230 jobs, the state Employment Security Department reported Tuesday.
With more people looking for work, Clallam County’s jobless rate went from 10.1 percent in April to 10.2 percent in May. It was 10 percent in May 2010.
Jefferson County’s unemployment rate was 9.7 percent last month, compared with 9.6 percent in April and 9.2 percent in May 2010.
Employment Security reported a gain of 80 government jobs and a gain of 70 private-sector jobs in Clallam County.
The unemployment rate increased despite those gains because the labor force grew by 370, from 29,660 in April to 30,030 in May.
Service-providing jobs drove gains in the private sector with 170 new service jobs in Clallam County. However, transportation and warehousing lost 60 jobs.
In Jefferson County, Employment Security reported a gain of 70 private-sector jobs and a gain of 10 government jobs.
The unemployment rate upticked because the labor force grew by 240, from 12,430 in April to 12,670 in May.
Service-providing jobs drove the gains in Jefferson County with 100 new service jobs added. Jefferson County’s goods-producing industry lost 20 jobs in May.
“We’ve been on sort of a good roll for a while, and any single month isn’t a good indicator,” said Elizabeth Scott, regional economist for Employment Security.
“To me, the fact that we’re adding jobs is good news.”
Statewide figures
Statewide, the unemployment rate dropped from a revised 9.2 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May. Washington lost 900 jobs in the private sector and gained 200 in the public sector for a net loss of 700 jobs.
“Basically, we need to see about 6,000 new jobs [statewide] every month to get us rolling,” Scott said.
“We need more good news.”
The state unemployment is down from 9.6 percent a year ago.
The national unemployment rate rose from a revised 9 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May. It was 9.6 percent nationally in May 2010.
Back on the Peninsula, first-time unemployment claims were down slightly in both counties. There were 450 first-time unemployment claims in Clallam County and 125 in Jefferson County in May.
“Clallam and Jefferson did well this month, but we need more good news,” Scott said.
“That’s the bottom line.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
