- Looking for another county? Expand this drop-down menu to select another profile.
September 2026 highlights
Updated October 2026
Compared to August 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.1% to 3.2% (8,480 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 2,400 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 266,300 jobs).
Spokane County's labor market highlights
- Spokane County is in Eastern Washington and shares its eastern border with Idaho. An estimated 18,166 workers cross the border in either direction between Spokane County and Kootenai, ID for work according to OnTheMap from the US Census.
- An estimated 555,947 people live in the county, and the largest demographic is people 25-to-34-years of age.
- The city of Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington and serves as the business, transportation, medical, industrial and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest. It also serves as the county seat.
Contact Spokane County's labor economist
Mike McBride, North central / Northeast region
- Email Mike: michael.mcbride@esd.wa.gov
- Call Mike: 564-250-3924
Spokane County is part of the Spokane Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Spokane County is part of the Spokane-Spokane Valley MSA.
Employment updates for September 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The September 2026 unemployment rate was 3.2% in Spokane County, 4.3% in Washington state and 4.0% in the United States.
| Measure | September 2026 | August 2026 | September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 261,925 | 262,028 | 265,076 |
| Employed persons | 253,445 | 251,341 | 255,497 |
| Persons seeking work | 8,480 | 10,687 | 9,579 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 4.1% | 3.6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Spokane County unemployment rate, January 2024 - September 2026
The unemployment rate in Spokane County tends to follow Washington state trends, as the county is highly integrated with the state's economy.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.3% | 5.7% | 4.9% | 3.7% | 4.0% | 3.6% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3.5% | 3.8% | 4.1% | 4.5% |
|
5.0% | 5.5% | 4.6% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.4% | 4.1% | 4.3% | 3.6% | N/A | 4.4% | 5.0% |
|
5.1% | 5.2% | 4.8% | 4.6% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 3.4% | 4.1% | 3.2% |
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 agriculture jobs or jobs outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In September 2026, Spokane County had 266,300 jobs.
Compared with August 2026, September employment increased by 2,400 jobs.
- 2,000 more government jobs. Seasonal public education employment accounted for the majority of the monthly job gain.
- 1,300 more private education and health services jobs.
- 200 fewer manufacturing jobs.
- 200 fewer retail trade jobs.
Compared with September 2025, this September’s employment was down by 1,400 (0.5%) jobs.
- 1,800 (6.1%) fewer professional and business services jobs.
- 1,000 (3.6%) fewer retail trade jobs.
- 1,000 (2.4%) more government jobs.
- 800 (1.3%) more private education and health services jobs.
- The goods-producing sectors had 1,100 more jobs, while leisure and hospitality had 700 fewer jobs.
Employment estimates for Spokane-Spokane Valley Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
This MSA employment data shows combined data from Spokane and Stevens 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 sector | Sep. 2026 | Aug. 2026 | Sep. 2025 | Aug. 2026 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 266,300 | 263,900 | 267,700 | 2,400 | -1,400 | -0.5% |
| - Private | 223,100 | 222,700 | 225,500 | 400 | -2,400 | -1.1% |
| - Government | 43,200 | 41,200 | 42,200 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 2.4% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry sector | Sep. 2026 | Aug. 2026 | Sep. 2025 | Aug. 2026 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 34,200 | 34,400 | 33,100 | -200 | 1,100 | 3.3% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 16,400 | 16,400 | 15,800 | 0 | 600 | 3.8% |
| - Manufacturing | 17,800 | 18,000 | 17,300 | -200 | 500 | 2.9% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry sector | Sep. 2026 | Aug. 2026 | Sep. 2025 | Aug. 2026 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 232,100 | 229,500 | 234,600 | 2,600 | -2,500 | -1.1% |
| - Wholesale trade | 10,700 | 10,800 | 10,900 | -100 | -200 | -1.8% |
| - Retail trade | 26,900 | 27,100 | 27,900 | -200 | -1,000 | -3.6% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 12,500 | 12,500 | 12,600 | 0 | -100 | -0.8% |
| - Information | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,800 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 13,400 | 13,500 | 13,800 | -100 | -400 | -2.9% |
| - Professional and business services | 27,500 | 27,500 | 29,300 | 0 | -1,800 | -6.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 60,700 | 59,400 | 59,900 | 1,300 | 800 | 1.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 24,700 | 24,800 | 25,400 | -100 | -700 | -2.8% |
| - Other services | 9,800 | 9,900 | 9,800 | -100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 43,200 | 41,200 | 42,200 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 2.4% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2026, updated October 14, 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
2025's annual average was 243,708 total covered employees.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 48,827 jobs.
- Government - 37,328 jobs.
- Retail trade - 26,243 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 19,808 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 15,986 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2025’s annual average wage was $68,928 for covered employees.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $139,335.
- Utilities - $124,438.
- Finance and insurance - $117,273.
- Mining - $109,098.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $103,442.
2025 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Spokane County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 443,755 | 62.0% | 5.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 26,507 | 43.3% | 15.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 35,242 | 77.2% | 7.8% |
| 25 to 29 years | 39,549 | 84.7% | 7.2% |
| 30 to 34 years | 41,835 | 81.5% | 4.8% |
| 35 to 44 years | 74,562 | 81.2% | 4.6% |
| 45 to 54 years | 63,289 | 79.7% | 4.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 30,857 | 71.7% | 3.6% |
| 60 to 64 years | 36,387 | 56.4% | 2.5% |
| 65 to 74 years | 57,959 | 22.6% | 4.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 375,086 | 61.4% | 4.9% |
| Black or African American alone | 8,901 | 68.8% | 12.1% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 4,386 | 57.5% | 10.5% |
| Asian alone | 10,323 | 61.7% | 3.7% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 2,792 | 68.4% | 6.2% |
| Some other race alone | 9,716 | 67.9% | 6.0% |
| Two or more races | 32,551 | 65.3% | 7.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 27,309 | 70.1% | 5.9% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 368,330 | 61.2% | 5.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 321,721 | 77.2% | 4.9% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 162,858 | 81.3% | 5.5% |
| Female | 158,863 | 73.0% | 4.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 52,894 | 73.8% | 4.7% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 11,254 | 66.6% | 6.8% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 10,969 | 64.4% | 7.2% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 30,671 | 79.8% | 3.4% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 36,846 | 43.0% | 23.6% |
| At or above the poverty level | 279,343 | 82.8% | 3.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 45,178 | 47.8% | 11.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 286,479 | 77.2% | 4.6% |
| Less than high school graduate | 15,273 | 55.5% | 11.8% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 68,068 | 72.0% | 5.4% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 108,402 | 76.3% | 5.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 94,736 | 85.6% | 2.6% |
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.