District of Columbia Unemployment Rate at 6.7 Percent in January

Washington, DC – The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services reported today that the seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in January 2026, unchanged from the benchmarked December 2025 rate of 6.7 percent.

The District’s preliminary January job estimate shows a decrease of 17,100 jobs, for a total of 712,100 jobs in the District. The private sector decreased by 11,600 jobs.  The public sector decreased by 5,500.  The numbers are drawn from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through its monthly survey of the District of Columbia’s employers.

“At a time with evolving economic conditions, we understand the importance of continued investments in workforce development programs to help residents meet the jobs needs of the region,” said DOES Director Unique Morris-Hughes. “Our community remains strong, resilient, and moving forward together in these efforts.”

The number of employed District residents decreased by 800 from 381,600 in December 2025 to 380,800 in January 2026. The civilian labor force for the District decreased by 1,100 from 409,100 in December 2025 to 408,000 in January 2026. The labor force participation rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points from 71.5 percent in December 2025 to 71.3 percent in January 2026.

Employment Overview

• Manufacturing sector remained the same as the prior month, after decreasing by 200 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 1,000 jobs, jobs decreased by 100 or 9.09 percent from a year ago.                                                                                                                                                                                                      
• Mining, Logging and Construction sector decreased by 300 jobs, after decreasing by 1,400 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 14,000 jobs, jobs increased by 500 or 3.7 percent from a year ago.
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector decreased by 300 jobs, after increasing by 1,000 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 29,400 jobs, jobs decreased by 200 or 0.68 percent from a year ago.
• Information sector decreased by 1,100 jobs, after increasing by 300 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 17,400 jobs, jobs decreased by 1,300 or 6.95 percent from a year ago.
• Financial Activities sector decreased by 300 jobs, after decreasing by 300 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 24,500 jobs, jobs decreased by 1,000 or 3.92 percent from a year ago.
• Professional and Business Services sector decreased by 2,600 jobs, after decreasing by 5,600 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 159,900 jobs, jobs decreased by 8,900 or 5.27 percent from a year ago. 
• Educational and Health Services sector decreased by 1,300 jobs, after increasing by 100 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 126,000 jobs, jobs decreased by 2,100 jobs or 1.64 percent from a year ago. 
• Leisure and Hospitality sector decreased by 3,600 jobs, after decreasing by 3,500 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 71,500 jobs, jobs decreased by 1,900 jobs or 2.59 percent from a year ago. 
• Other Services sector decreased by 1,400 jobs, after decreasing by 5,500 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 61,000 jobs, jobs decreased by 4,000or 6.15 percent from a year ago. 

Labor Force Overview

• The number of employed District residents decreased by 800 over the month to 380,800. The civilian labor force decreased by 1,100 to 408,000.
• One year ago, total employment was 391,500 and the civilian labor force was 415,300. The number of unemployed was 23,800, and the unemployment rate was 5.7 percent.

NOTES: The January 2026 final and February 2026 preliminary unemployment rates will be released on Wednesday April 22, 2026. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for the District of Columbia and detailed labor market information is available at: Labor Statistics | does

Technical Notes: Estimates of industry employment and unemployment levels are determined through the use of two different monthly surveys.

Industry employment data is derived from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, a monthly survey of business establishments conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor, which provides estimates of employment, hours, and earnings data broken down by industry for the nation as a whole, all states, and most major metropolitan areas (often referred to as the “establishment” survey).

Resident employment and unemployment data are mainly derived from the District’s portion of the national Current Population Survey (CPS), a household survey conducted each month by the US Census Bureau under contract with BLS, which provides input to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program (often referred to as the “household” survey).

Both industry and household estimates are revised each month based on additional information from updated survey reports compiled by BLS. In addition, these estimates are benchmarked (revised) annually based on actual counts from the District’s Unemployment Compensation Law administrative records and other data.

Data reflects 2025 annual benchmark revisions. 
Industry employment data is not seasonally adjusted.