According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provisional estimates, in July 2003 the seasonally adjusted civilian labor force in the District of Columbia numbered 309,700, with approximately 20,000 workers unemployed, yielding an unemployment rate of 6.5%, compared to the national average of 6.2% for the same period. Since the beginning of the BLS data series in 1978, the highest unemployment rate recorded was 11.9% in July 1983. The historical low was 4.4% in November 1988. It is estimated that in 2001, 3.9% of the labor force was employed in construction; 2.7% in manufacturing; 5.9% in transportation, communications, and public utilities; 9.6% in trade; 5.5% in finance, insurance, and real estate; 39.9% in services; 26.1% in government; and 0.6% in agriculture.
The District of Columbia serves as the headquarters of many labor organizations. The US Department of Labor reported that in 2002, 36,000 of the District of Columbia's 260,000 employed wage and salary workers were members of unions. This represented 13.8% of those so employed, down from 16.2% in 2001. The national average is 13.2%. In all, 46,000 workers (17.8%) were represented by unions. In addition to union members, this category includes workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union contract.