Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.9% to 4.3% and total nonfarm employment increased by 100 jobs.
Summary
As one of the fastest growing regions of the state, Clark County has a robust and changing job market. Its largest city, Vancouver, was historically a bedroom community of neighboring Portland, Oregon. In recent years the county has developed into a major center of population and employment in southwest Washington. Clark County’s major industries include health care and social assistance, construction, manufacturing, and professional and business services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Clark County’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate peaked at 13.7% in April 2020. This was 2.8% below the statewide high of 16.5%. Since then, the county’s recovery has kept pace with statewide trends.
Location
Clark County is located in southwest Washington, along the Columbia River. It is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The region is well connected, with proximity to Interstate 5 as well as major air, rail, and maritime transportation.
Clark County, along with neighboring Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, is part of Washington’s seventh Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in May 2025. This was up from 3.9% in the previous month and unchanged from 4.3% in May 2024.
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The total civilian labor force was 250,476 in May 2025, down from 259,533 in May 2024.
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There were 10,740 unemployed persons in May 2025, 421 fewer than in May 2024.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
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Total nonfarm employment was 189,700 in May 2025, not seasonally adjusted. This was up by 100 jobs from the previous month, and up by 1,900 jobs (1.0%) from May 2024.
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For the 12 months ending in May 2025, employment increased in five industries, decreased in seven industries, and was unchanged in one industry.
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The largest increase over the year was in professional and business services (up 900 jobs), followed by private education and health services (up 800 jobs) and financial activities (up 400 jobs).
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The largest over the year decreases were in construction and government, which each lost 200 jobs.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Clark County
| NAICS Industry Title | May 2025 (Prelim) | Apr 2025 (Revised) | May 2024 (Revised) | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAICS Industry Title Total nonfarm | May 2025 (Prelim) 189,700 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 189,600 | May 2024 (Revised) 187,800 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 1,900 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 1.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title Total private (total nonfarm less government) | May 2025 (Prelim) 161,400 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 161,300 | May 2024 (Revised) 159,300 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 2,100 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 1.3% |
| NAICS Industry Title Goods-producing | May 2025 (Prelim) 33,100 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 33,100 | May 2024 (Revised) 33,200 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change -100 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.3% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Mining and logging | May 2025 (Prelim) 200 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 200 | May 2024 (Revised) 200 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 0.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Construction | May 2025 (Prelim) 18,600 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 18,600 | May 2024 (Revised) 18,800 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change -200 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -1.1% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Manufacturing | May 2025 (Prelim) 14,200 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 14,300 | May 2024 (Revised) 14,300 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -100 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change -100 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.7% |
| NAICS Industry Title Service-providing | May 2025 (Prelim) 156,600 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 156,500 | May 2024 (Revised) 154,500 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 2,100 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 1.4% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Wholesale trade | May 2025 (Prelim) 7,500 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 7,500 | May 2024 (Revised) 7,200 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 300 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 4.2% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Retail trade | May 2025 (Prelim) 18,500 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 18,500 | May 2024 (Revised) 18,600 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change -100 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.5% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | May 2025 (Prelim) 4,200 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 4,500 | May 2024 (Revised) 4,300 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -300 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change -100 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -2.3% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Information | May 2025 (Prelim) 3,600 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 3,600 | May 2024 (Revised) 3,700 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change -100 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -2.7% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Financial activities | May 2025 (Prelim) 10,500 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 10,400 | May 2024 (Revised) 10,100 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 400 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 4.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Professional and business services | May 2025 (Prelim) 24,900 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 24,800 | May 2024 (Revised) 24,000 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 900 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 3.8% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Private education and health services | May 2025 (Prelim) 34,400 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 34,400 | May 2024 (Revised) 33,600 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 800 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 2.4% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Leisure and hospitality | May 2025 (Prelim) 18,100 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 17,900 | May 2024 (Revised) 18,200 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 200 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change -100 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.5% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Other services | May 2025 (Prelim) 6,600 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 6,500 | May 2024 (Revised) 6,400 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change 200 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 3.1% |
| NAICS Industry Title - Government | May 2025 (Prelim) 28,300 | Apr 2025 (Revised) 28,300 | May 2024 (Revised) 28,500 | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 | May 2024 to May 2025 Change -200 | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.7% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated June 18, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Detailed tables can be found on the source page in the third spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted.
Industry employment (covered employment)
Clark County has one of the most diverse economies in the state, with significant employment in both goods producing and service providing industries. Health care and social assistance continues to be a major sector with some of the largest employers in the region.
Employment by industry, Clark County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.
Average annual covered employment in Clark County was 180,182 and the average annual wage was $68,874 in 2023. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top five sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Health care and social assistance (29,322)
- Government (26,815)
- Retail trade (18,724)
- Construction (17,432)
- Accommodation and food services (15,169)
Top five sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Finance and insurance ($112,480)
- Management of companies and enterprises ($109,840)
- Information ($106,292)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($104,482)
- Wholesale trade ($94,813)
These five sectors make up approximately 18% of all employment.
Workforce demographics for Clark County
Clark County’s labor force participation rate is 64.2%, led by strong labor force participation among prime aged workers (aged 25 to 54). Approximately two-thirds of the population aged 25 to 64 has some college education or higher. Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Clark County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Population 16 years and over | Total 406,229 | Labor force participation rate 64.2% | Unemployment rate 5.2% |
| Demographic characteristic 16 to 19 years | Total 24,937 | Labor force participation rate 36.5% | Unemployment rate 15.8% |
| Demographic characteristic 20 to 24 years | Total 29,901 | Labor force participation rate 82.0% | Unemployment rate 7.9% |
| Demographic characteristic 25 to 29 years | Total 33,880 | Labor force participation rate 83.6% | Unemployment rate 5.1% |
| Demographic characteristic 30 to 34 years | Total 35,748 | Labor force participation rate 83.2% | Unemployment rate 6.1% |
| Demographic characteristic 35 to 44 years | Total 69,689 | Labor force participation rate 82.7% | Unemployment rate 4.9% |
| Demographic characteristic 45 to 54 years | Total 65,307 | Labor force participation rate 82.6% | Unemployment rate 3.3% |
| Demographic characteristic 55 to 59 years | Total 31,508 | Labor force participation rate 77.8% | Unemployment rate 4.7% |
| Demographic characteristic 60 to 64 years | Total 32,247 | Labor force participation rate 59.6% | Unemployment rate 3.9% |
| Demographic characteristic 65 to 74 years | Total 51,806 | Labor force participation rate 24.0% | Unemployment rate 3.4% |
| Demographic characteristic 75 years and over | Total 31,206 | Labor force participation rate 5.1% | Unemployment rate 1.8% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic White alone | Total 322,881 | Labor force participation rate 63.0% | Unemployment rate 5.3% |
| Demographic characteristic Black or African American alone | Total 8,391 | Labor force participation rate 69.2% | Unemployment rate 5.0% |
| Demographic characteristic American Indian and Alaska Native alone | Total 2,316 | Labor force participation rate 61.7% | Unemployment rate 5.4% |
| Demographic characteristic Asian alone | Total 20,541 | Labor force participation rate 67.5% | Unemployment rate 2.7% |
| Demographic characteristic Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | Total 3,087 | Labor force participation rate 71.0% | Unemployment rate 3.4% |
| Demographic characteristic Some other race alone | Total 14,543 | Labor force participation rate 71.7% | Unemployment rate 3.4% |
| Demographic characteristic Two or more races | Total 34,470 | Labor force participation rate 69.5% | Unemployment rate 7.0% |
| Demographic characteristic Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | Total 40,564 | Labor force participation rate 70.4% | Unemployment rate 6.1% |
| Demographic characteristic White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | Total 310,119 | Labor force participation rate 62.8% | Unemployment rate 5.2% |
| Demographic characteristic Population 20 to 64 years | Total 298,280 | Labor force participation rate 79.7% | Unemployment rate 4.9% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Male | Total 149,553 | Labor force participation rate 86.2% | Unemployment rate 4.8% |
| Demographic characteristic Female | Total 148,727 | Labor force participation rate 73.2% | Unemployment rate 5.0% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 18 | Total 54,498 | Labor force participation rate 69.4% | Unemployment rate 5.7% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 only | Total 12,008 | Labor force participation rate 66.8% | Unemployment rate 6.6% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | Total 11,576 | Labor force participation rate 58.4% | Unemployment rate 14.6% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children 6 to 17 only | Total 30,914 | Labor force participation rate 74.5% | Unemployment rate 2.7% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Below poverty level | Total 23,371 | Labor force participation rate 47.2% | Unemployment rate 21.0% |
| Demographic characteristic At or above the poverty level | Total 273,693 | Labor force participation rate 82.9% | Unemployment rate 4.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic With any disability | Total 33,260 | Labor force participation rate 51.1% | Unemployment rate 10.4% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Population 25 to 64 years | Total 268,379 | Labor force participation rate 79.5% | Unemployment rate 4.6% |
| Demographic characteristic Less than high school graduate | Total 20,422 | Labor force participation rate 65.4% | Unemployment rate 8.7% |
| Demographic characteristic High school graduate (includes equivalency) | Total 65,673 | Labor force participation rate 75.7% | Unemployment rate 4.5% |
| Demographic characteristic Some college or associate's degree | Total 93,543 | Labor force participation rate 79.2% | Unemployment rate 5.6% |
| Demographic characteristic Bachelor's degree or higher | Total 88,741 | Labor force participation rate 85.9% | Unemployment rate 2.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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