Economy Adds Washington, D.C. Jobs

While most of the nation's economy is teetering on the edge, more Washington, D.C. jobs are being added.

According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the District of Columbia had a total non-farm employment of 716,300 in August, an increase of 3.2 percent from last year, and higher than July's employment of 712,000.

Washington, D.C. has seen an over-the-year increase of jobs every month this year, by 1 percent in March, by 1.1 percent in April, by 1.4 percent in May, by 1.8 percent in June, by 2.4 percent in July and by 3.2 percent in August. Jobs in the district have increased on a monthly basis as well.

Industries in the District that saw an over-the-year employment increase during August include:
natural resources, mining and construction by .8 percent

• trade, transportation and utilities by .4 percent
• professional and business services by 2.1 percent
• education and health services by 8.9 percent
• leisure and hospitality by 3.3 percent
• other services by 4.8 percent
• government by 2.9 percent

Industries that have seen an over-the-year decrease in employment include:

• manufacturing by 5.9 percent
• information by 5.5 percent
• financial activities by 1.7 percent

During August, the District of Columbia had an unemployment rate of 6.9 percent, higher than July's unemployment rate of 6.7 percent and higher than the national unemployment rate of 6.1 percent.