OLYMPIA, WA – Washington’s economy experienced significant job growth last month.

Preliminary numbers show that the state added 7,900 jobs in September, according to the state Employment Security Department.

That would be over three times the number of jobs added in August.

Most of the growth was seen in the professional and business services industry and the education and health services industry, which each added over 3,500 jobs.

The state’s construction sector lost just over 1,000 jobs.

Washington’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.6% last month, just under the national average of 3.8%.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate here in Whatcom County has seen a slight increase, up to 3.7% last month compared to an all-time low of 3.1% in June.