Employers in Washington state added a net 54,900 jobs in the 12 months through February, lowering the unemployment rate for that month to an estimated 8.2 percent, the state Employment Security Department reported Wednesday.

While not spectacular Washington extended to 17 out of the past 18 months of net job creation in a report released by the Emplyment Security Office Wednesday March 21st.

Preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that Washington state added 4,200 jobs from January to February 2012, on a seasonally adjusted basis. BLS estimates the private sector increased by 5,600 jobs over the month and the public sector fell by 1,400 jobs. Since September 2010, the state has had only one month of job losses.

February’s jobless rate was the lowest since January 2009, when it was 7.7 percent. The state’s January unemployment rate was 8.4 percent.

Over the year, the private sector added an estimated 62,200 jobs and the public sector lost an estimated 7,300 jobs.  Industries that saw the most job growth were leisure and hospitality (up 2,500 jobs); construction (up 1,900); retail trade (up 1,700); transportation, warehousing and utilities (up 1,500); and professional and business services (up 1,100).

Manufacturing led all sectors in annual job growth, adding an estimated 14,900 jobs. The aerospace industry accounted for 9,400 of those jobs.