(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia's Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary August job estimates show a decrease of 20,200 jobs for a total of 1,083,100 jobs in the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 6,700 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 13,500 jobs. The Washington, DC- MD Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted August 2026 unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, which was 0.2 percentage points lower than the revised July 2026 unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. The Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division's unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in August 2025, which was 0.8 percentage points higher than the current unemployment rate of 5.0 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 August 2026 was 979,300, of which 930,200 were employed and 49,000 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 5.0 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the Communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 3,037,200, of which 2,929,700 were employed and 107,400 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 3,440,000, of which 3,309,300 were employed and 130,700 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 3.8 percent. For the month the unemployment rates for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and Suburban Ring decreased by 0.2 percentage points.

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 18,600, while the number of employed decreased by 9,300, and the number of unemployed decreased by 9,400. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring decreased over the year by 69,600, while the number of employed decreased by 57,000, and the number of unemployed decreased by 12,700. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area's civilian labor force decreased by 73,700, while the number of employed decreased by 55,600 and the number of unemployed decreased by 18,100. For the year, the unemployment rate for the Washington, DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 0.8 percentage points, while the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.4 percentage points each.

Metropolitan Division's Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased over the month by 20,200 jobs. The private sector decreased over the month by 6,700 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 13,500 jobs over the month. The public sector had two gains over the month. The gains were registered in: Information (100 jobs) and Private Education and Health Services (200 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Manufacturing (-100 jobs); Mining, Logging & Constructing (-500 jobs); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-300 jobs); Financial Activities (-700 jobs); Professional and Business Services (-2,600 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (-2,300 jobs); and Other Services (-500 jobs). Overall, the government decreased by 13,500 jobs over the month. The federal government decreased by 1,500 jobs, while the State government decreased by 10,500 jobs and local government decreased by 1,500 jobs.

During the past 12 months, employment in the Washington DC-MD Metropolitan Division decreased by 35,500 jobs. The private sector decreased by 13,100 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 22,400 jobs. Job increases were registered in Mining Logging & Construction (200 jobs) and Other Services (100 jobs). The private sector losses were registered in Manufacturing (-300 jobs); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-1,800 jobs); Information (-700 jobs); Professional and Business Services (-7,300 jobs); Private Educational and Health Services (-400 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (-2,900 jobs). Government overall decreased by 22,400 jobs. The Federal government decreased 25,800 jobs. State government increased 1,800 jobs, and the local government increased 1,600 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 2025 annual benchmark revisions.