Washington payrolls fell an estimated 15,400 in September
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Washington payroll employment fell an estimated 15,400 jobs in September, while the unemployment rate slipped to 4.8%, its third consecutive monthly decline, according to preliminary, seasonally adjusted estimates released Oct. 14 by the Employment Security Department.
| Month | Payroll change | Unemployment rate | Unemployed people |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | — | 5.0% | — |
| August 2026 | −1,200 jobs, revised | 4.9% | 197,389 |
| September 2026 | −15,400 jobs, preliminary | 4.8% | 193,018 |
The September payroll decline followed a revised loss of 1,200 jobs in August. Despite the monthly drop, payroll employment was 9,200 jobs, or 0.3%, higher than in September 2025. Government employment fell by 10,400 jobs and private-sector employment by 5,000.
The department attributed the lower unemployment rate partly to fewer unemployed people and partly to a smaller labor force. Payroll estimates count jobs, not individual workers laid off. The September estimates are preliminary and may be revised.
County-level estimates for September were scheduled for Oct. 20, 2026. County unemployment and employment estimates are not seasonally adjusted and should not be compared directly with the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate.
Sources
- Washington unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.8% in September, Washington Employment Security Department
- Monthly employment report, Washington Employment Security Department
- Seattle's job market loses its edge, Axios
- esd.wa.gov
- esd.wa.gov
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