Washington Metro’s Unemployment Rate at 5.1 percent

(WASHINGTON, DC) - The District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary December estimates show a decrease of 2,200 jobs for a total of 1,138,000 jobs in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 1,900 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 300 jobs. The Washington, DC- MD Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted December 2025 unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division's unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in December 2024, which was 1.3 percentage points lower than the current unemployment rate of 5.1 percent.

Over-the-Month Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data

The total civilian labor force in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division for December 2025 was 1,007,000, of which 955,200 were employed and 51,800 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,068,400, of which 2,961,600 were employed and 106,800 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.5 percent. In the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the Washington, Metropolitan DC-MD Division, the Arlington- Alexandria-Reston, VA-WV Metropolitan Division, and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Maryland Metropolitan Division, the civilian labor force was 3,497,300, of which 3,353,800, were employed and 133,500 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.8 percent. For the month the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 1.0 percentage point, while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.8 percentage points each.

Over-the-Year Area Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Data

The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division's civilian labor force decreased over the year by 11,600, while the number of employees decreased by 24,500, and the number of unemployed increased by 12,900. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 60,100, while the number of employed decreased by 91,500, and the number of unemployed increased by 31,400. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area's civilian labor force decreased by 58,300, while the number of employed decreased by 95,800 and the number of unemployed increased by 37,500. For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division increased by 1.3 percentage points, while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring increased by 1.1 percentage points.

Metropolitan Division's Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 2,200 jobs over the month. The private sector decreased by 1,900 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 300 jobs over the month. The private sector had four gains over the month. Job gains were registered in Manufacturing (100 jobs); Mining, Logging and Construction (300 jobs); Trade Transportation & Utilities (1,800 jobs); and Information (200 jobs). The Private Sector had four losses. The losses were registered in Professional and Business Services (-900 jobs); and Private Education and Health Services (-700 jobs) and Leisure and Hospitality (-2,200 jobs); and Other Services (-500 jobs). The Government overall decreased by 300 jobs over the month. The federal government decreased by 200 jobs while the state government increased by 100 jobs and local government decreased by 200 jobs.

During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 29,600 jobs. The private sector increased by 900 jobs. The public sector decreased by 30,500 jobs. Job increases were registered in Mining, Logging & Construction (5,800 jobs); Information (300) and Private Education and Health Services (600); Leisure and Hospitality (5,800 jobs); and Other Services (300). Job decreases were registered in: Manufacturing (-100); Trade Transportation & Utilities (-2,300); Financial Activities (-500 jobs); and Professional and Business Services (-9,000 jobs). Government overall decreased 30,500 jobs. The federal government decreased 30,500 jobs while the state government decreased 200 jobs and the local government increased 200 jobs.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Explanations

Estimated Labor Force and Employment for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division includes: The District of Columbia, and MD (Charles County, MD and Prince George's County, MD).

The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area include Principal Cities: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Frederick, MD; Gaithersburg, MD; Bethesda, MD; Rockville, MD; Reston, VA; McLean, VA; North Bethesda, MD; Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, VA-WV Metropolitan Division Arlington County, VA; Clarke County, VA; Culpeper County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Fauquier County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Rappahannock County, VA; Spotsylvania County, VA; Stafford County, VA; Warren County, VA; Alexandria city, VA; Fairfax city, VA; Falls Church city, VA; Fredericksburg city, VA; Manassas city, VA; Manassas Park city, VA; Jefferson County, WV; Frederick-Gaithersburg-Bethesda, MD Metropolitan Division Frederick County, Montgomery County; Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division District of Columbia, DC; Charles County, MD; Prince George's County, MD.

Data reflects the 2024 annual benchmark revisions.