Total employment decreased by 1,700 nonfarm jobs in the Spokane-Spokane Valley Metropolitan Statistical Area during the 12 months ending in May, according to preliminary data from the Washington state Employment Security Department.

Total employment in the area also dropped in a month-to-month comparison, to 268,500 jobs from 270,500 jobs in April.

The unemployment rate for the MSA, which includes Spokane and Stevens counties, was 4% in May, down from 4.2% in the year-earlier month, but up from 3.8% in April.

Washington state’s unemployment rate in May was 4.4%, up from 4.2% in May 2024.