EVERETT — The unemployment rate in Snohomish County rose slightly in February, as is typical for mid-winter. Labor analysts expect the number to fall in the coming months as hiring for spring and summer picks up.
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February in Snohomish County was 5.3 percent, according to the state’s Employment Security Department, which recently released the numbers.
February’s unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points over January. It was lower than the rate from February 2014, which was 5.7 percent.
“The unemployment rate typically reaches peak levels in January and February in Snohomish County, following the winter holiday season. Expect unemployment rates to drop as spring and summer hiring takes hold,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, a regional labor economist with the Employment Security Department.
The county had 6,000 more nonfarming jobs in February than it did the previous year, an increase of 2.2 percent.
In all, the county had an estimated 274,400 jobs, according to the state’s preliminary data.
Companies classified as part of the manufacturing sector added 200 jobs, stopping a steady month-to-month decline in that sector. However, the sector is estimated to have had 62,600 jobs in February, 100 fewer than it had the previous year, according to the report.
All other sectors reported year-over-year growth. The leisure and hospitality sector led the way with an addition of 1,300 jobs.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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