Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV, Division Economic Summary
Updated May 31, 2017
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 Washington
division, selected area counties, and the nation
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Washington division, 3rd quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,027; Area = $1,397)
Unemployment rates
4.7
United States
4.1
3.6
Washington
division
3.6
2.6
Alexandria city,
VA
2.8
2.3
Arlington Co.,
VA
2.4
5.4
District of
Columbia
5.4
2.8
Loudoun Co.,
VA
2.9
0.0
2.0
4.0
Apr-16
6.0
Apr-17
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
12-month percent changes in employment
Washington division
employment
(numbers in thousands)
Percent
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Apr-14
Washington division
Apr-15
United States
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Apr-17
Total nonfarm
Mining, logging, and construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Change from Apr.
Apr. 2017
2016 to Apr. 2017
Number
Percent
28.4
0.5
-0.2
4.3
-3.1
-0.9
8.3
5.3
10.9
-0.1
3.4
1.1
0.4
-0.5
1.3
-5.1
-0.8
1.4
1.5
4.1
-0.1
0.6
2,664.3
123.0
36.2
327.7
57.8
116.6
618.0
354.6
275.0
166.0
589.4
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
• www.bls.gov/ro6
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, March 2017
12.0
10.9
10.9
2.0
Washington-Baltimore area
U.S. city average
1.0
6.0
0.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Publishing industries, except Internet
3.0
10.0
8.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
Percent
4.0
-1.0
2.4
1.3
0.1
All Items
-2.0
0.5
Food
-3.0
Energy
-4.0
Apr-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Washington, DC average annual expenditures 2014-15
Apr-15
Healthcare
$5,556
6.8%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$10,532
13.0%
Food
$7,840
9.6%
Transportation
$12,744
15.7%
Total:
$81,293
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
$33.12
$23.86
Lawyers
83.56
67.25
Political scientists
57.68
53.97
Computer systems analysts
49.39
44.05
Statisticians
48.14
40.94
Budget analysts
45.70
37.10
Public relations specialists
45.05
31.99
Accountants and auditors
43.80
36.89
Editors
40.12
31.77
Registered nurses
37.73
34.70
Construction laborers
16.82
18.22
Retail salespersons
12.88
13.07
Cooks, fast food
10.34
9.89
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2015.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, December
2016
Washington
division
Total, all occupations
Housing
$29,753
36.6%
Apr-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$14,868
18.3%
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
South Atlantic
(1)
$30.90
21.81
9.09
2.23
1.15
0.83
2.44
1.28
2.31
(1) South Atlantic includes DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, and WV.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$32.76
22.83
9.93
2.28
1.17
1.15
2.63
1.31
2.56
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
3.0
12-month percent changes in ECI
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
Washington area
Mar-15
United States
Mar-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Mid-Atlantic Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/mid-atlantic • 215-597-3282
Mar-17