Washington, DC area Economic Summary Updated September 29, 2021 This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Unemployment rates for the nation and selected Average weekly wages for all industries by county areas Washington area, first quarter 2021 (U.S. = $1,289; Area = $1,748) Unemployment rates
8.5 United States 5.3
7.8 Washington area 4.9
District of 8.9 Columbia 6.3
6.7 Fairfax Co., VA 3.4
Prince George's 10.9 Co., MD 7.9
Prince William 7.5 Co., VA 3.8
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 Aug-20 Aug-21 Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
Change from Aug. 12-month percent changes in employment Washington area employment Aug. 2021 2020 to Aug. 2021 15.0 (number in thousands) Number Percent 10.0 Total nonfarm 3,204.9 101.7 3.3 Mining, logging, and construction 162.9 0.9 0.6 5.0 Manufacturing 55.9 1.6 2.9 0.0 Trade, transportation, and utilities 389.9 12.2 3.2 Information 73.3 -0.3 -0.4 -5.0 Financial activities 154.8 -0.5 -0.3 -10.0 Professional and business services 789.3 21.7 2.8 Education and health services 431.0 23.5 5.8 -15.0 Leisure and hospitality 277.3 47.6 20.7 Aug-18 Aug-19 Aug-20 Aug-21 Other services 196.1 4.3 2.2 Washington area United States Government 674.4 -9.3 -1.4 Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics. Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics. Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by consumers for selected categories producers for selected industries nationwide
12-month percent change in CPI-U, July 2021 12-month percent changes in PPI 23.8 25.0 22.2 25.0 20.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 15.0 5.0 0.0 10.0 5.4 -5.0 4.4 5.0 3.2 3.4 -10.0 Aug-18 Aug-19 Aug-20 Aug-21 0.0 General freight trucking Hospitals All items Food Energy Washington area U.S. city average Telecommunications Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index. Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution Average hourly wages for selected occupations for selected categories Washington United Occupation area States Average annual expenditures, United States and All occupations $37.12 $27.07 Washington area, 2019-20 100% $16,094 $10,754 Lawyers 89.46 71.59 80% $6,325 $5,185 $12,004 $7,205 60% Economists 68.55 58.11 $10,145 $7,744 40% $10,912 $10,257 Political scientists 62.88 59.66 20% $33,572 $21,043 0% Statisticians 54.59 46.72 Washington area United States All other items Healthcare Public relations specialists 50.18 34.58 Personal insurance & pensions Food Transportation Social science research assistants 31.75 25.75 Housing Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey. Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2020.
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries selected employee benefits by geographic division 12-month percent changes in ECI Private industry, United South Atlantic June 2021 States 5.0 Total compensation $34.11 $36.64 4.5 Wages and salaries 24.72 25.89 4.0 3.5 Total benefits 9.39 10.76 3.0 Paid leave 2.53 2.70 2.5 Vacation 1.30 1.38 2.0 Supplemental pay 1.03 1.25 1.5 Insurance 2.25 2.79 1.0 Retirement and savings 1.05 1.25 0.5 0.0 Legally required benefits 2.53 2.77 (1) The states that compose the South Atlantic census division are: DE, DC, Jun-18 Jun-19 Jun-20 Jun-21 FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, and WV. Washington area United States Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation. Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
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