Washington Metro’s Unemployment Rate at 5.2 Percent

(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary July job estimates show an increase of 8,900 jobs for a total of 1,103,600 jobs in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 100 jobs, while the public sector increased by 9,000 jobs. The Washington, DC- MD Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted July 2026 unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, which was unchanged from the revised June 2026 unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division's unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in July 2025, which was 0.4 percentage points higher than the current unemployment rate of 5.2 percent.

Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data

The total civilian labor force in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division for July 2026 was 988,100, of which 936,600 were employed and 51,400 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 5.2 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,067,100, of which 2,953,400 were employed and 113,500 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.7 percent. In the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the Washington Metropolitan DC-MD Division, the Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, VA-WV Metropolitan Division, and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Maryland Metropolitan Division, the civilian labor force was 3,473,900, of which 3,336,100 were employed and 137,700 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 4.0 percent. For the month the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division was unchanged, while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and Suburban Ring decreased by 0.1 percentage point.

Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data

The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division's civilian labor force decreased over the year by 32,800, while the number of employed decreased by 27,700, and the number of unemployed decreased by 5,300. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 83,900, while the number of employed decreased by 81,300, and the number of unemployed decreased by 2,800. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area's civilian labor force decreased by 95,100, while the number of employed decreased by 88,300 and the number of unemployed decreased by 6,900. For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 0.4 percentage points, the unemployment rate for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area decreased by 0.1 percentage points and the unemployment rate for the Suburban Ring was unchanged.

Metropolitan Division's Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 8,900 jobs. The private sector decreased over the month by 100 jobs, while the public sector increased by 9,000 jobs over the month. The public sector had three gains over the month. The gains were registered in: Mining Logging & Construction (100 jobs); Financial Activities (600 jobs) and Professional and Business Services (2,200 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Manufacturing (-100 jobs); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-500 jobs); Information (-200 jobs); Private Education and Health Services (-1,600 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (-500 jobs); and Other Services (-100 jobs). Government overall increased 9,000 jobs over the month. The federal government increased by 200 jobs, while the state government increased by 10,500 jobs and local government decreased by 1,700 jobs.

During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 44,000 jobs. The private sector decreased by 12,200 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 31,800 jobs. Job increases were registered in Mining Logging & Construction (900 jobs) and Financial Activities (500 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Manufacturing (-300 jobs); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-2,100 jobs); Information (-1,200 jobs); Professional and Business Services (-7,900 jobs); Private Educational and Health Services (-900 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (-800 jobs); and Other Services (-400 jobs). Government overall decreased by 31,800 jobs. The Federal government decreased 31,400 jobs. State government decreased 600 jobs, and the local government increased 200 jobs.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Explanations
Estimated Labor Force and Employment for the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division includes: The District of Columbia, and MD (Charles County, MD and Prince George's County, MD).

The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area include Principal Cities: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Frederick, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Reston, VA; McLean, VA; North Bethesda, MD; Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, VA-WV Metropolitan Division Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Alexandria city, VA; Fairfax city, VA; Falls Church city, VA; Fredericksburg city, VA; Manassas city, VA; Manassas Park city, VA; Jefferson County, WV; Frederick-Gaithersburg-Bethesda, MD Metropolitan Division Frederick County, Montgomery County; Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Prince George's County, MD.

Data reflects the 2025 annual benchmark revisions.