Washington's unemployment rate rose from 9 percent to 9.3 percent in September according to the latest figures released today by the state Employment Security Department.
Government jobs declined by 7,100 in September, far exceeding job losses in all other sectors.
The unemployment rate was 8.8 percent in King County, 10.1 percent in Snohomish County, 9 percent in Pierce County and 8.4 percent in Spokane County.