Washington’s economy picked up some steam in January, adding an estimated 12,400 jobs – the first monthly gain since November 2008.

The state unemployment rate remained relatively flat, inching up to an estimated 9.3 percent from December’s revised rate of 9.2 percent. December’s rate was earlier estimated at 9.5 percent, but was revised downward after more analysis.

The largest number of seasonally adjusted job gains occurred in the following industries: retail trade, up 3,000; educational and health services, up 2,800; construction, up 2,700; leisure and hospitality, up 1,600; professional and business services, up 1,000; manufacturing, up 1,000; information, up 900; wholesale trade, up 800; and aerospace and parts manufacturing, up 600.

Industries that shed jobs in January included transportation, warehousing and utilities, down 900, and other services, down 800.