The DC Policy Center released a report this week exploring how the region’s labor market has changed since 2010. The report uncovers mostly good news for the District:
- For the first time in 2016, the District became the top private sector employment center, with employment exceeding that of the previous leader: Fairfax County.
- However, the exurbs of Virginia—especially Loudoun and Prince William counties—are outperforming even the District in private sector employment growth.
- District wages are increasingly becoming higher compared to other jurisdictions in the metropolitan area. In terms of labor costs, the District is now the most expensive place for businesses in almost every industry.
Taken together, these data show that the city is attracting good business ideas and sound business models that find demand for their products and services at rates greater than neighboring jurisdictions.
You can read the full report, which includes more data and graphics, here.
