TUMWATER, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington’s economy saw some encouraging news in the state’s latest jobs report.

The Washington State Employment Security Department said the state gained about 5,400 seasonally-adjusted jobs in June.

Still, the unemployment rate remained at 5.2% for the third straight month.

The state hasn’t seen its seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate drop since November 2024, over a year and a half ago.

Leisure and hospitality saw most of the private-sector job gains, while education and health services also got a boost.

Whatcom County’s June jobs report is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, July 21.