Jul 7, 2018 2 min read

Unemployment rates in Washington and Greene counties plummeted in May, both dropping eight tenths of a percentage point from April.

Washington’s May rate was 3.8 percent and Greene’s 4.3 percent, according to seasonally adjusted figures released by the state Department of Labor & Industry. Unemployment declined significantly in both counties over the year – 1.7 points in Greene (from 6.0), 1.5 in Washington (from 5.3).

After hovering above the Pennsylvania rate for more than two years, Washington County’s figure remained below that of the Keystone State (4.5 percent) for a third consecutive month. The national rate also is 3.8 percent.

The seven-county Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Washington, also experienced a large decrease in joblessness. The MSA figure fell to 3.9 percent in May, from 4.5.

Washington County’s labor force, according to Labor & Industry, was 104,400 in May; 4,000 people were listed as out of work. Greene had a labor force of 16,200 and 700 unemployed.

Washington had the third-lowest countywide rate in the MSA, which also consists of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland counties, plus Pittsburgh.

Butler County again had the lowest unemployment figure in the MSA, 3.4 percent. It was followed by Allegheny (3.6); Washington; Westmoreland (3.9); Beaver (4.0); Armstrong (4.5) and Fayette (5.1).

Among the state’s 67 counties, Chester had the lowest rate (2.7 percent) and Forest the highest (6.0).

Total nonfarm jobs increased by 1,100 from April to May in the Pittsburgh MSA. Jobs in the MSA rose by 1.2 percent over the year – an increase of 14,100. Statewide, jobs also increased by 1.3 percent.

Because of seasonal hiring, leisure and hospitality had the largest employment increase (4,300) among supersectors, ahead of construction (4,200).