Washington State Unemployment Rate Down to 5.4 percent

OLYMPIA (AP) — Washington state's unemployment rate dipped to 5.4 percent last month and the state added 10,600 jobs.

The unemployment rate in September was 5.6 percent.

According to the latest numbers released Wednesday by the Employment Security Department, the private sector added 12,200 jobs, while the public sector saw a decrease of 1,600.

The national unemployment rate was 4.9 percent last month. The rate in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area dropped from 3.9 percent in September to 3.8 percent in October.

The biggest job growth was seen in leisure and hospitality, with 7,400 new jobs created. Losses were seen in manufacturing, with 1,700 positions lost.