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September 2026 highlights
Updated October 2026
Compared to August 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.3% to 3.4% (4,866 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 300 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 132,700 jobs).
Thurston County's labor market highlights
- Thurston County is home to Washington’s state capital of Olympia, and government is a major source of employment. State government makes up about 23% of all jobs in the county.
- Other major sectors in Thurston County include health care and social assistance, retail trade, accommodation and food services and professional, scientific and technical services.
- The county has a large population of workers aged 25 to 54 years old, leading to a strong labor force participation rate.
Contact Thurston County's labor economist
Emily Robertson, Southwest coastal region
- Email Emily: emily.robertson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Emily: 360-463-7813
Thurston County is part of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Thurston County is known as the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater MSA.
Employment updates for September 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The September 2026 unemployment rate was 3.4% in Thurston County, 4.3% in Washington state and 4.0% in the United States.
| Measure | September 2026 | August 2026 | September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 144,060 | 145,163 | 145,336 |
| Employed persons | 139,194 | 138,885 | 139,718 |
| Persons seeking work | 4,866 | 6,278 | 5,618 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | 3.9% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Thurston County unemployment rate, January 2024 - September 2026
Thurston County's unemployment rate tends to closely follow the statewide rate, though it does show some seasonal factors. Unemployment is at its lowest in the summer and highest in the winter. A large public sector provides some stability throughout the year.
| Sector | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.0% | 5.5% | 4.9% | 4.0% | 4.3% | 3.7% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 4.0% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
|
4.6% | 5.2% | 4.4% | 3.9% | 4.2% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 4.5% | 3.9% | N/A | 4.7% | 5.0% |
|
4.9% | 5.0% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.5% | 4.1% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 3.4% |
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, Thurston County had 132,700 jobs.
Compared with August 2026, September employment increased by 300 jobs.
- 600 more government jobs.
- 200 more private education and health services jobs.
- 200 fewer leisure and hospitality jobs.
- 100 fewer mining, logging and construction jobs.
Compared with September 2025, this September’s employment was down by 400 (0.3%) jobs.
- 700 (3.3%) more private education and health services jobs.
- 300 (2.6%) more leisure and hospitality jobs.
- 700 (5.5%) fewer retail trade jobs.
- 200 (2.9%) fewer mining, logging and construction jobs.
Employment estimates for Thurston 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 | Sep. 2026 | Aug. 2026 | Sep. 2025 | Aug. 2026 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 132,700 | 132,400 | 133,100 | 300 | -400 | -0.3% |
| - Private | 89,000 | 89,300 | 89,000 | -300 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 43,700 | 43,100 | 44,100 | 600 | -400 | -0.9% |
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 | 9,800 | 9,900 | 9,900 | -100 | -100 | -1.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 6,700 | 6,800 | 6,900 | -100 | -200 | -2.9% |
| - Manufacturing | 3,100 | 3,100 | 3,000 | 0 | 100 | 3.3% |
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 | 122,900 | 122,500 | 123,200 | 400 | -300 | -0.2% |
| - Wholesale trade | 4,100 | 4,100 | 4,200 | 0 | -100 | -2.4% |
| - Retail trade | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,700 | 0 | -700 | -5.5% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 4,200 | 4,200 | 4,300 | 0 | -100 | -2.3% |
| - Information | 1,700 | 1,700 | 1,600 | 0 | 100 | 6.3% |
| - Financial activities | 4,000 | 4,100 | 4,200 | -100 | -200 | -4.8% |
| - Professional and business services | 14,500 | 14,400 | 14,700 | 100 | -200 | -1.4% |
| - Private education and health services | 21,900 | 21,700 | 21,200 | 200 | 700 | 3.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 11,700 | 11,900 | 11,400 | -200 | 300 | 2.6% |
| - Other services | 4,900 | 5,000 | 4,800 | -100 | 100 | 2.1% |
| - Government | 43,700 | 43,100 | 44,100 | 600 | -400 | -0.9% |
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 129,717 total covered employees.
- Government - 43,847 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 17,142 jobs.
- Retail trade - 12,173 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 9,656 jobs.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - 6,992 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2025’s annual average wage was $76,252 for covered employees.
- Utilities - $155,120.
- Information - $151,097.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $122,464.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $111,738.
- Finance and insurance - $109,457.
2025 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics for Thurston County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 243,990 | 61.5% | 5.2% |
| 16 to 19 years | 13,300 | 38.5% | 19.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 16,506 | 79.2% | 9.2% |
| 25 to 29 years | 20,592 | 83.2% | 4.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 22,191 | 79.0% | 6.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 43,407 | 82.0% | 3.6% |
| 45 to 54 years | 35,633 | 81.1% | 3.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 16,791 | 74.8% | 6.5% |
| 60 to 64 years | 19,498 | 61.0% | 2.5% |
| 65 to 74 years | 34,019 | 21.6% | 2.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 182,597 | 59.6% | 4.9% |
| Black or African American alone | 7,972 | 66.7% | 5.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 2,529 | 60.4% | 7.7% |
| Asian alone | 15,741 | 64.0% | 4.5% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 2,373 | 72.2% | 11.2% |
| Some other race alone | 7,607 | 69.1% | 4.9% |
| Two or more races | 25,171 | 68.7% | 6.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 22,122 | 71.2% | 6.0% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 177,122 | 59.2% | 4.9% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 174,618 | 78.3% | 4.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 86,746 | 82.2% | 5.0% |
| Female | 87,872 | 74.4% | 4.4% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 29,860 | 70.9% | 2.7% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 7,271 | 68.5% | 3.5% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 5,559 | 64.4% | 3.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 17,030 | 74.1% | 2.3% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 16,087 | 42.9% | 20.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 157,191 | 82.3% | 3.8% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 24,274 | 52.8% | 8.3% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 158,112 | 78.2% | 4.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 7,928 | 60.8% | 6.4% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 34,716 | 69.9% | 6.4% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 54,342 | 77.3% | 4.2% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 61,126 | 85.9% | 3.1% |
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.