District of Columbia Unemployment Rate at 6.3 Percent in March

Washington, DC – The District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services reported today that the seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in March 2026, a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from the revised February 2026 rate of 6.5 percent. 

The District’s preliminary February job estimate shows an increase of 3,000 jobs, for a total of 717,400 jobs in the District. The private sector increased by 2,700 jobs.  The public sector increased by 300.  The numbers are drawn from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through its monthly survey of the District of Columbia’s employers. 

The number of employed District residents decreased by 800 from 380,300 in February 2026 to 379,500 in March 2026. The civilian labor force for the District decreased by 1,800 from 406,900 in February 2026 to 405,100 in March 2026. The labor force participation rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points from 71.1 percent in February 2026 to 70.8 percent in March 2026. 

Employment Overview 

• Manufacturing sector increased by 100 jobs, after remaining the same in the prior month.  With employment at 1,100 jobs, jobs remained the same from a year ago.                                                                                                                                                                                
• Mining, Logging and Construction sector increased by 300 jobs, after decreasing by 200 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 14,100 jobs, jobs increased by 600 or 4.44 percent from a year ago. 
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector increased by 300 jobs, after decreasing by 300 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 29,400 jobs, jobs decreased by 400 or 1.34 percent from a year ago. 
• Information sector increased by 200 jobs, after decreasing by 200 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 remains the same, after increasing by 200 jobs in the prior month. With employment at 24,700 jobs, jobs decreased by 200or 0.8 percent from a year ago. 
• Professional and Business Services sector decreased by 200 jobs, after increasing by 700 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 160,200 jobs, jobs decreased by 6,200 or 3.73 percent from a year ago.  
• Educational and Health Services sector remains the same, after increasing by 1,400 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 127,400 jobs, jobs decreased by 1,700 jobs or 1.32 percent from a year ago.  
• Leisure and Hospitality sector increased by 1,400 jobs, after increasing by 800 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 73,800 jobs, jobs decreased by 2,900 jobs or 3.78 percent from a year ago.  
• Other Services sector increased by 600 jobs, after increasing by 700 jobs in the prior month.  With employment at 62,300 jobs, jobs decreased by 1,600 or 2.5 percent from a year ago.  

Labor Force Overview 

• The number of employed District residents decreased by 800 over the month to 379,500. The civilian labor force decreased by 1,800 to 405,100. 
• One year ago, total employment was 390,100 and the civilian labor force was 414,900. 

The number of unemployed was 24,800, and the unemployment rate was 6.0 percent. 

NOTES: The March 2026 final and April 2026 preliminary unemployment rates will be released on Wednesday May 22, 2026. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for the District of Columbia and detailed labor market information is available HERE.

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.