District of Columbia Unemployment Rate at 5.6 Percent in September

(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in September 2026, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the revised August 2026 rate of 5.7 percent.

The District's preliminary September job estimate shows an increase of 4,600 jobs, for a total of 718,700 jobs in the District. The private sector increased by 3,000 jobs. The public sector increased by 1,600. The numbers are drawn from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through its monthly survey of the District of Columbia's employers.

"The District continues to make steady progress in strengthening its workforce and expanding economic opportunity," said DOES Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes. "As employment rises and more residents participate in the labor market, we remain focused on equipping Washingtonians with the skills, supports, and connections they need to succeed in today's economy."

The number of employed District residents increased by 1,100 from 379,300 in August 2026 to 380,400 in September 2026. The civilian labor force for the District increased by 500 from 402,400 in August 2026 to 402,900 in September 2026. The labor force participation rate was unchanged from 70.3 percent in August 2026 to 70.3 percent in September 2026.

Employment Overview

• Manufacturing sector remained the same, after remaining the same in the prior month. With employment at 1,000 jobs, jobs decreased by 100 or 9.09 percent from a year ago.
• Mining, Logging and Construction sectors decreased by 100 jobs, after decreasing by 300 in the prior month. With employment at 14,200 jobs, jobs increased by 300 or 2.16 percent from a year ago.
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sectors increased by 300 jobs, after decreasing by 400 in the prior month. With employment at 29,600 jobs, jobs decreased by 100 or 0.34 percent from a year ago.
• Information sector decreased by 100 jobs, after increasing by 100 in the prior month. With employment at 17,600 jobs, jobs decreased by 500 or 2.76 percent from a year ago.
• Financial Activities sector decreased by 400 jobs, after decreasing by 300 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 24,600 jobs, jobs decreased by 200 or 0.81 percent from a year ago.
• Professional and Business Services sector increased by 1,400 jobs, after decreasing by 3,500 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 160,900 jobs, jobs decreased by 2,300 or 1.41 percent from a year ago.
• Educational and Health Services sector increased by 2,500 jobs, after increasing by 1,100 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 125,500 jobs, jobs decreased by 1,700 jobs or 1.34 percent from a year ago.
• Leisure and Hospitality sector decreased by 500 jobs, after decreasing by 1,800 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 75,400 jobs, jobs decreased by 300 jobs or 0.4 percent from a year ago.
• Other Services sector decreased by 100 jobs, after decreasing by 500 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 62,900 jobs, jobs increased by 300 jobs or 0.48 percent from a year ago.
  

Labor Force Overview

• The number of employed District residents increased by 1,100 over the month to 380,400. The civilian labor force increased by 500 to 402,900.
• One year ago, total employment was 381,600 and the civilian labor force was 408,700.
  The number of unemployed was 27,100, and the unemployment rate was 6.6 percent.

NOTES: The September 2026 final and October 2026 preliminary unemployment rates will be released on Friday November 20, 2026. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for the District of Columbia and detailed labor market information is available HERE .

Technical Notes: Estimates of industry employment and unemployment levels are determined through the use of two different monthly surveys.

Industry employment data is derived from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, a monthly survey of business establishments conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor, which provides estimates of employment, hours, and earnings data broken down by industry for the nation as a whole, all states, and most major metropolitan areas (often referred to as the "establishment" survey).

Resident employment and unemployment data are mainly derived from the District's portion of the national Current Population Survey (CPS), a household survey conducted each month by the US Census Bureau under contract with BLS, which provides input to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program (often referred to as the "household" survey).

Both industry and household estimates are revised each month based on additional information from updated survey reports compiled by BLS. In addition, these estimates are benchmarked (revised) annually based on actual counts from the District's Unemployment Compensation Law administrative records and other data.

Data reflects 2025 annual benchmark revisions
Industry employment data is not seasonally adjusted.