Washington Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly to 5.3 Percent

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state's unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.3 percent last month even as the state saw an overall gain of 10,100 new jobs.

The latest report Wednesday from the state's Employment Security Department shows that the state's private sector grew by 8,800 jobs and the public sector gained 1,300 jobs.

Two different surveys are used to calculate unemployment figures and job losses and gains. The unemployment rate represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively looking for work. People who have stopped looking for work aren't counted. The job gains and losses estimates are based on a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey of businesses.

The national unemployment rate remained the same as the previous month, at 5 percent.