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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 5.4% to 6.4% (2,981 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 500 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 130,200 jobs).
Franklin County's labor market highlights
- Franklin County’s economy remains strong, anchored by agriculture, food manufacturing, health care, education and industrial activity. Food manufacturing continues to be a major source of employment and economic stability.
- In 2024, the county supported roughly 37,595 jobs with an average unemployment rate of 5.7%, reflecting a steady labor market. Health care and education together account for 3,182 jobs, or 8.5% of total employment.
- Population growth—driven in part by a large and diverse Hispanic community—continues to shape workforce strategies. This demographic contributes significantly to entrepreneurship, labor force participation and cultural vitality.
- Ongoing efforts to diversify industry and strengthen small business support have enhanced the county’s economic resilience. Workforce development initiatives are focused on upgrading skills in agriculture and manufacturing to meet evolving industry needs.
Contact Franklin County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Franklin County is part of the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Franklin County is part of the Kennewick-Richland Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 6.4% in Franklin County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Franklin County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 46,576 | 46,777 | 44,355 |
| Employed persons | 43,595 | 44,259 | 41,564 |
| Persons seeking work | 2,981 | 2,518 | 2,791 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4% | 5.4% | 6.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Franklin County's unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
As of September 2025, Franklin County’s unemployment rate stood at 4.1%, marking a clear improvement from August and signaling strengthening labor market conditions.
While not dramatic, Franklin County’s unemployment rate shows steady month‑to‑month improvement, with September bringing a notable drop as more residents entered employment.
Year‑over‑year patterns point to a growing labor force and rising employment, even as unemployment edges up slightly, reflecting expansion rather than seasonal fluctuation.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6.8% | 7.1% | 6.1% | 4.4% | 3.9% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 5.2% | 4.2% | 4.7% | 5.1% | 6.9% |
|
6.6% | 7.3% | 6.4% | 4.8% | 4.9% | 4.3% | 5.2% | 5.1% | 4.0% | 4.3% | 5.3% | 6.3% |
|
6.5% | 7.1% | 5.7% | 4.9% | 5.0% | 3.9% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 4.1% | 5.4% | 6.4% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include persons working outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In December 2025, Franklin County had 130,200 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025 there were 500 more jobs (130,700 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 300 fewer jobs in Professional and business services decreased in jobs, driven entirely by a 300‑job decline in administrative and support services
- 100 fewer jobs in Trade, transportation, and utilities declined in jobs, including a 100 job drop in retail trade
- 100 fewer jobs in Private education and health services decreased mainly through declines in health services sectors
- 100 fewer jobs in Government employment decreased in jobs, mostly in local government
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Financial Activities (+100) and Food Services and Drinking Places (+100), both of which added jobs
In December 2024, there were 1,900 fewer jobs (128,300 in total)
Compared to that month, this December 2025 there are:
- 600 (7.1%) more jobs in Manufacturing, which posted one of the most robust expansions of the year, signaling sustained demand for locally produced goods and continued strength in the sector’s recovery
- 800 (3.8%) more jobs in Private education and health services, reflecting ongoing population needs and continued investment in essential community services
- 500 (4.1%) more jobs in Leisure and hospitality, which recorded solid annual growth, suggesting stronger consumer spending and a rebound in service‑oriented activity
- 200 (1.0%) more jobs in Government, where hiring rose modestly, driven by local jurisdictions expanding staffing to meet community service demands
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Wholesale trade (+200 jobs, 5.6%), Other services (+100 jobs, 2.9%), and Financial activities (+100 jobs, 2.4%). Annual declines occurred in Transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-300 jobs, -5.8%) and Retail trade (-100 jobs, -0.7%)
Employment estimates for Kennewick–Richland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
This MSA employment data shows combined data from Benton and Franklin counties.
See a snapshot of this month's data below. A detailed spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted is on the source page of our site.
Total jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 130,200 | 130,700 | 128,300 | -500 | 1,900 | 1.5% |
| - Private | 109,800 | 110,200 | 108,100 | -400 | 1,700 | 1.6% |
| - Financial activities | 4,200 | 4,100 | 4,100 | 100 | 100 | 2.4% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 20,400 | 20,400 | 19,800 | 0 | 600 | 3.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 11,300 | 11,300 | 11,300 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 9,100 | 9,100 | 8,500 | 0 | 600 | 7.1% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 109,800 | 110,300 | 108,500 | -500 | 1,300 | 1.2% |
| - Wholesale trade | 3,800 | 3,800 | 3,600 | 0 | 200 | 5.6% |
| - Retail trade | 14,100 | 14,200 | 14,200 | -100 | -100 | -0.7% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 4,900 | 4,900 | 5,200 | 0 | -300 | -5.8% |
| - Information | 700 | 700 | 700 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 23,400 | 23,700 | 23,500 | -300 | -100 | -0.4% |
| - Private education and health services | 21,700 | 21,800 | 20,900 | -100 | 800 | 3.8% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 12,600 | 12,600 | 12,100 | 0 | 500 | 4.1% |
| - Other services | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,500 | 0 | 100 | 2.9% |
| - Government | 20,400 | 20,500 | 20,200 | -100 | 200 | 1.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2025, updated January 16, 2026.The current month’s data is preliminary. Analysts continue to refine past months as more related information becomes available. Industry columns uses North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry titles. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Employment details for industries and sectors
This profile section uses Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data.
This quarterly census data includes both agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals with employees covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment refers to the total number of employees with this type of coverage.
Top sectors by employment
2024’s annual average was 37,554 total covered employees.
- Government - 6,983 jobs.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - 5,241 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 4,611 jobs.
- Retail trade - 3,775 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 3,178 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $57,267 for covered employees.
- Finance and insurance - $90,317.
- Wholesale trade - $78,714.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $75,515.
- Government - $72,731.
- Construction - $66,478.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics in Franklin County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 70,525 | 66.3% | 5.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 6,560 | 37.1% | 21.9% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6,936 | 83.1% | 7.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 6,761 | 79.7% | 3.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 7,468 | 81.7% | 3.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 13,709 | 80.5% | 5.0% |
| 45 to 54 years | 10,769 | 81.9% | 4.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 4,392 | 74.9% | 1.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 4,073 | 54.8% | 2.5% |
| 65 to 74 years | 6,382 | 24.6% | 5.8% |
| 75 years and over | 3,475 | 3.3% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 37,809 | 64.4% | 4.1% |
| Black or African American alone | 1,411 | 54.9% | 19.1% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,007 | 65.5% | 3.0% |
| Asian alone | 1,465 | 63.3% | 8.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 137 | 70.8% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 15,256 | 71.1% | 5.1% |
| Two or more races | 13,440 | 67.6% | 7.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 35,517 | 69.8% | 5.8% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 29,515 | 63.2% | 4.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 54,108 | 78.8% | 4.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 28,718 | 84.1% | 4.4% |
| Female | 25,390 | 72.9% | 4.4% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 11,806 | 73.8% | 2.1% |
| With own children under 6 only | 2,716 | 70.3% | 0.4% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 2,869 | 63.0% | 0.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 6,221 | 80.3% | 3.1% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 5,825 | 49.0% | 17.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 46,539 | 85.5% | 3.5% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 5,441 | 59.2% | 17.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 47,172 | 78.2% | 4.0% |
| Less than high school graduate | 11,462 | 71.8% | 7.5% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 12,519 | 75.6% | 4.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 13,541 | 78.8% | 2.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9,650 | 88.1% | 1.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
Funding
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.