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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 4.6% to 5.1% (305 unemployed individuals). Employers reported the same number of jobs on payrolls (for a total of 2,280 jobs).
Skamania County's labor market highlights
- Tourism and recreation continue to define the county’s identity, with hospitality and visitor‑driven services remaining central even as the economy diversifies beyond its timber past.
- High‑wage professional and information sectors stand out, offering some of the strongest earnings in the region and signaling a growing niche for specialized remote or knowledge‑based work.
- Government and hospitality remain the backbone of local employment, together supporting well over half of all covered jobs and reflecting the county’s service‑oriented structure.
- Major infrastructure projects, like the Goldendale Energy Storage Project and Cascades Business Park, are shaping long‑term growth, improving connectivity and supporting future job creation.
- Workforce participation is strongest among younger adults, with high engagement among workers aged 30-34 and those with higher education, highlighting a relatively active and skilled labor base.
Contact Skamania County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Skamania County is part of the South Central Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 5.1% in Skamania County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Skamania County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 5,995 | 6,058 | 5,979 |
| Employed persons | 5,690 | 5,777 | 5,672 |
| Persons seeking work | 305 | 281 | 307 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Skamania County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
As of September 2025, Skamania County’s unemployment rate declined to 3.7%, reflecting a clear month‑to‑month improvement as more residents found work and unemployment eased. The increase in employment suggests short‑term strengthening in the local labor market, supported by a modest rise in the overall labor force. Compared to last year, the county shows steady but moderate growth. Both the labor force and employment are slightly higher than in September 2024, even as unemployment has edged up a bit. This mix of gradual expansion and small year‑over‑year increases in joblessness points to a labor market that is generally improving but still adjusting to shifting economic conditions and seasonal patterns.
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.2% |
5.4% |
4.8% |
3.5% |
3.1% |
2.8% |
3.6% |
4.5% |
3.6% |
4.2% |
4.1% |
4.9% |
|
5.3% |
5.8% |
5.3% |
4.1% |
4.2% |
3.6% |
4.3% |
4.3% |
3.6% |
4.2% |
4.7% |
5.1% |
|
5.6% |
6.1% |
4.6% |
3.8% |
4.4% |
3.6% |
4.3% |
4.4% |
3.7% |
4.7% |
5.1% |
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, Skamania County has 2,280 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025, there were the same number of jobs (2,280 in total.)
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 10 more jobs in Construction, marking the largest single‑sector increase of the month.
- 10 more jobs in Manufacturing, supported by a 10‑job gain in nondurable goods.
- 10 more jobs in Trade, transportation, and utilities, with retail trade contributing all 10 jobs.
- 10 more jobs in Private education and health services, reflecting modest growth in health‑related employment.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Leisure and hospitality (-10 jobs), Local government education (-10 jobs), and in Financial activities, Information, Professional and business services, and Other services, all of which held steady or declined modestly for the month.
In December 2024 there were 30 fewer jobs (2,250 in total).
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 10 (2.4%) more jobs in Goods‑producing industries, supported by 10 more jobs in construction.
- 10 (3.8%) more jobs in Trade, transportation, and utilities, reflecting steady gains in local commerce and distribution.
- 10 (9.1%) more jobs in Professional and business services, indicating rising demand for technical and administrative support services.
- 30 (5.2%) more jobs in Leisure and hospitality, consistent with continued recovery in consumer-facing industries.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Financial activities with 10 fewer jobs (-20%), marking the most notable annual decline, and Government employment with 10 fewer jobs (-1.5%), driven entirely by a 10-job loss in the federal government.
Employment estimates for Skamania 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 | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 2,280 | 2,280 | 2,250 | 0 | 30 | 1.3% |
| - Private | 1,650 | 1,640 | 1,600 | 10 | 50 | 3.1% |
| - Government | 640 | 640 | 650 | 0 | -10 | -1.5% |
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 | 430 | 420 | 420 | 10 | 10 | 2.4% |
| - Mining and logging | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 80 | 70 | 70 | 10 | 10 | 14.3% |
| - Manufacturing | 340 | 330 | 340 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
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 | 1,860 | 1,860 | 1,820 | 0 | 40 | 2.2% |
| - Wholesale trade | 40 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 190 | 180 | 180 | 10 | 10 | 5.6% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 40 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 40 | 40 | 50 | 0 | -10 | -20.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 120 | 120 | 110 | 0 | 10 | 9.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 100 | 90 | 100 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 610 | 620 | 580 | -10 | 30 | 5.2% |
| - Other services | 60 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 640 | 640 | 650 | 0 | -10 | -1.5% |
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 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 the latest Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) annual averages 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 2,197 total covered employees.
- Government - 629 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 563 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 314 jobs.
- Retail trade - 176 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 94 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $55,267 for covered employees.
- Information - $176,991.
- Professional, scientific and technical services - $159,147.
- Wholesale trade - $119,040.
- Finance and insurance - $91,891.
- Construction - $79,465.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Skamania County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 10,439 | 58.4% | 5.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 515 | 57.1% | 16.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 476 | 88.4% | 23.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 547 | 83.0% | 8.1% |
| 30 to 34 years | 701 | 90.3% | 0.3% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,459 | 79.6% | 4.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 1,713 | 86.2% | 3.8% |
| 55 to 59 years | 922 | 63.1% | 8.6% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,234 | 46.3% | 0.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 1,825 | 26.5% | 0.4% |
| 75 years and over | 1,047 | 1.8% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 9,150 | 57.3% | 5.1% |
| Black or African American alone | 34 | 38.2% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 146 | 52.1% | 2.6% |
| Asian alone | 142 | 81.7% | 7.8% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 20 | 55.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 332 | 81.6% | 2.2% |
| Two or more races | 615 | 60.0% | 16.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 613 | 84.0% | 7.8% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 8,842 | 56.4% | 5.1% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 7,052 | 75.1% | 5.6% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 3,574 | 81.0% | 7.8% |
| Female | 3,478 | 69.1% | 3.1% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 872 | 74.9% | 4.0% |
| With own children under 6 only | 181 | 84.5% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 177 | 62.1% | 7.3% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 514 | 75.9% | 4.6% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 640 | 38.6% | 19.4% |
| At or above the poverty level | 6,370 | 79.3% | 5.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 726 | 41.5% | 1.0% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 6,576 | 74.2% | 4.1% |
| Less than high school graduate | 468 | 52.8% | 8.9% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 1,702 | 78.2% | 4.4% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,427 | 69.5% | 3.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,979 | 81.6% | 4.0% |
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.