Magic Pot of Jobs

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, finding jobs in Washington, D.C. became more difficult in May. During the month unemployment jumped 0.8 percent from April’s 9.9 percent to 10.7 percent, which is the highest its been since September of 1983.

In May the national jobless average was 9.4 percent. This means that locating employment in the country’s capital was more difficult than in many other areas across the nation.

During last month there were approximately 35,200 residents in the area without work. The problem with these statistics is that they do not include the number of people who have become discouraged and stopped looking for employment altogether.

Despite the rising unemployment rate in the metro, D.C. continues to be one of the few areas in the country where new jobs are being created, according to The Washington Post. Labor Statistics data shows that several industries in the area have seen in an increase in jobs.

The largest job gains over the course of the 12 months came in the education and health services. During the last year there has been a 5.2 percent increase in the number positions in the metro. Because this industry offers many services that are necessary no matter what the state of the economy is, it is no surprise that sector continues to provide employment opportunities.

The government sector also continued to create new D.C. jobs. Over the course of the last year there has been a 1.1 percent increase in these positions.

The only other industry to post new jobs during the last year was the leisure and hospitality sector. Positions in this area of employment increased by 0.9 percent during the last 12 months, which is surprising considering that the tourism industry is suffering in many areas across the nation.

During the last 12 months Washington, D.C.’s largest employment decline occurred in the manufacturing sector. Over the course of the last year these positions have fallen by 23.5 percent.

With the economy currently struggling, it comes as no surprise that over the course of the lat year finding jobs in Washington, D.C. has become more difficult. In March of last year only 6.2 percent of the area’s population was without work. This March 9.8 percent of Washington, D.C. residents were jobless. During the same month the national unemployment rate was 8.5 percent.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, several industries reported Washington, D.C. job losses including: mining, lodging and construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation and utilities, information technology and professional and business services.

Despite this, a few sectors continued to generate jobs in the D.C. metro area over the course of the last 12 months. Like many other cities in the country, healthcare and educational services posted significant gains. Because this industry provides many necessary services to the general public, it is no surprise that it continues to grow. Other areas of employment that continue to post job gains included leisure and hospitality and government work.

Given the number of government agencies in the area and the speed at which bureaucracies tend to create new positions, Washington D.C. is one of the best areas for those who’d like to work for the federal government. When looking for a position with one of these agencies, one of the best job search engines is USAjobs.com.

Currently there are around 1,000 positions listed with the website for employment opportunities in the Washington, D.C. metro area with a variety of different agencies. Salaries range from around $7 an hour to six figures.