Washington Sees Loss of 9,500 Jobs Over Past 2 Months

Washington state's unemployment rate was relatively constant over the past two months, but the state saw an estimated loss of 9,500 jobs in September and October.

Numbers released Wednesday by the Employment Security Department show that the state's unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in September and 7 percent in October. The agency was releasing data for both months because the September numbers were delayed due to the federal government shutdown last month. Jobs fell an estimated 1,400 in September, and 8,100 in October.

Industries that saw the biggest losses were education and health services, construction, leisure and hospitality and manufacturing. Sectors that say some gains were wholesale trade, retail trade, other services, and government.

More than 241,000 people were unemployed and looking for work last month, including 94,951 who claimed unemployment benefits during that same time period.