Total employment in the Spokane-Spokane Valley metropolitan statistical area fell by about 2,300 jobs in September, compared with the year-earlier month, according to preliminary data released by the Washington state Employment Security Department.

Employment in the MSA, which includes Spokane, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties, totaled about 274,500 jobs last month, which is down from about 276,800 jobs in September 2023.

Last month’s total, however, was higher than in August, when total employment was 273,800.

The data suggests a continuing trend of fewer people looking for work, as the preliminary unemployment rate for the MSA was 3.8% in September, down slightly from 3.9% in the year-earlier month and down nearly a full percentage point from August, when the unemployment rate was 4.7%.

By comparison, the statewide unemployment rate in September was 4.8%, steady with August, but up from 3.6% in the year-earlier month.