OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington’s economy showed further signs of slowing in the state’s latest jobs report.

The Employment Security Department said the state has now posted four straight months of jobs losses.

Washington’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate climbed to 5.2% in April.

That was up slightly from March’s rate of 5.1% and considerably higher than the same time last year.

Construction saw most of the private-sector job losses, while finance saw the largest gains.

The state’s unemployment rate has been steadily increasing and hasn’t dropped since fall 2024.

Whatcom County’s April jobs report is scheduled to be released next Tuesday, May 26.