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April 2026 highlights
Updated May 2026
Compared to March 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.8% to 4.1% (34 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 30 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 670 jobs).
Garfield County's labor market highlights
- The county’s employment base remains highly concentrated: government accounts for more than 70% of covered jobs, with wholesale trade, agriculture and retail trade making up most of the remainder.
- Average annual wages reached $60,801, with government and wholesale trade offering the highest pay, while retail trade remained the lowest‑wage major sector.
- Workforce participation varies sharply across demographics, 95% among residents aged 30-34, but only 14.8% for those 65-74; participation is also higher for men and for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Contact Garfield County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Garfield County is part of the Eastern Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Employment updates for April 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The April 2026 unemployment rate was 4.1% in Garfield County, 5.1% in Washington state and 4.0% in the United States.
| Measure | Apr. 2026 | Mar. 2026 | Apr. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 837 | 829 | 821 |
| Employed persons | 803 | 789 | 791 |
| Persons seeking work | 34 | 40 | 30 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.8% | 3.7% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Garfield County unemployment rate, January 2024 - April 2026
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.7% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 3.8% | 4.0% | 3.4% | 3.9% | 4.1% | 3.5% | 3.9% | 4.5% | 4.9% |
|
5.4% | 6.0% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 4.6% | 3.5% | 4.1% | 4.0% | 3.7% | 4.6% | 5.2% | |
|
5.0% | 5.1% | 4.8% | 4.1% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS). BLS canceled October 2025's unemployment publications.
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 April 2026, Garfield County had 670 jobs.
Compared with March 2026, April employment increased by 30 jobs.
- 10 more private jobs.
- 20 more government jobs.
- 0 goods-producing jobs, which is unchanged.
- 20 more service-providing jobs.
Compared with April 2025, this April’s employment was up by 10 (1.5%) jobs.
- 10 (5.9%) more private jobs.
- 490 government jobs, which is unchanged.
- 0 goods-producing jobs, which is unchanged.
- 10 (1.5%) more service-providing jobs.
- 10 (33.3%) more private education and health services jobs.
Employment estimates for Garfield County
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 sector | Apr. 2026 | Mar. 2026 | Apr. 2025 | Mar. 2026 to Apr. 2026 |
Apr. 2025 to Apr. 2026 |
Mar. 2025 to Apr. 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 670 | 640 | 660 | 30 | 10 | 1.5% |
| - Private | 180 | 170 | 170 | 10 | 10 | 5.9% |
| - Government | 490 | 470 | 490 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry sector | Apr. 2026 | Mar. 2026 | Apr. 2025 | Mar. 2026 to Apr. 2026 |
Apr. 2025 to Apr. 2026 |
Mar. 2025 to Apr. 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry sector | Apr. 2026 | Mar. 2026 | Apr. 2025 | Mar. 2026 to Apr. 2026 |
Apr. 2025 to Apr. 2026 |
Mar. 2025 to Apr. 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 660 | 640 | 650 | 20 | 10 | 1.5% |
| - Wholesale trade | 70 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 40 | 40 | 30 | 0 | 10 | 33.3% |
| - Other services | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 490 | 470 | 490 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2025, updated May 20, 2026. The current month’s data is preliminary. Analysts continue to refine past months as more related information becomes available. Industry columns use 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 652 total covered employees.
- Government - 463 jobs.
- Wholesale trade - 72 jobs.
- Not classified elsewhere - 64 jobs.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - 27 jobs.
- Retail trade - 25 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $60,907 for covered employees.
- Government - $65,742.
- Wholesale trade - $55,125.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - $40,207.
- Retail trade - $25,114.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics in Garfield County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 1,989 | 48.9% | 6.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 185 | 45.4% | 35.7% |
| 20 to 24 years | 70 | 67.1% | 0.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 63 | 55.6% | 0.0% |
| 30 to 34 years | 115 | 85.2% | 21.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 307 | 84.0% | 3.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 256 | 65.6% | 1.2% |
| 55 to 59 years | 84 | 63.1% | 0.0% |
| 60 to 64 years | 296 | 55.1% | 0.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 348 | 6.6% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 1,794 | 47.4% | 5.1% |
| Black or African American alone | 2 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1 | 0.0% | - |
| Asian alone | 49 | 69.4% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 0 | - | - |
| Some other race alone | 26 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 117 | 51.3% | 26.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 84 | 36.9% | 0.0% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 1,754 | 48.2% | 5.1% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 1,191 | 69.0% | 3.8% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 622 | 78.5% | 4.7% |
| Female | 569 | 58.7% | 2.4% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 272 | 68.8% | 4.3% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 56 | 48.2% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 74 | 89.2% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 142 | 66.2% | 8.5% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 145 | 44.8% | 35.4% |
| At or above the poverty level | 1,032 | 73.4% | 1.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 251 | 42.6% | 19.6% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 1,121 | 69.1% | 4.0% |
| Less than high school graduate | 77 | 55.8% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 244 | 62.7% | 15.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 446 | 65.2% | 2.7% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 354 | 81.4% | 0.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024: ACS 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.