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May 2026 highlights
Updated June 2026
Compared to April 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.5% to 4.1% (1,186 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 200 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 28,300 jobs).
Walla Walla County's labor market highlights
- Walla Walla County’s economy remains diverse and resilient, supported by agriculture, tourism, health care, education, manufacturing and retail trade.
- Its agricultural strength—especially wheat, onions, potatoes and wine grapes—continues to fuel a thriving wine industry with more than 185 wineries and a strong tourism rebound.
- In 2024, total covered employment reached 29,090 jobs, a modest increase from the previous year, while annual payroll rose to $1.62 billion.
- Government remained the county’s largest employer, followed by health care, manufacturing and agriculture, which together account for nearly 79% of all covered jobs.
- High‑wage opportunities continued to expand in finance, professional services and manufacturing, with finance and insurance leading all sectors at an average wage of $91,791.
- Workforce trends show strong participation among younger workers, especially those aged 25-29, and significantly higher engagement among individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Ongoing workforce development efforts continue to emphasize skill-building in agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality, while expanded support for small businesses, entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism is strengthening long‑term economic resilience.
Contact Walla Walla's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Walla Walla County is part of the Eastern Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Walla Walla County is known as the Walla Wall MSA.
Employment updates for May 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The May 2026 unemployment rate was 4.1% in Walla Walla County, 4.8% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Measure | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 29,146 | 28,719 | 28,967 |
| Employed persons | 27,960 | 27,427 | 27,952 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,186 | 1,292 | 1,015 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.5% | 3.5% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Walla Walla County unemployment rate, January 2024 - May 2026
Walla Walla County's unemployment rate reflects a mixed local economy. Seasonal agriculture and viticulture hiring create modest monthly seasonal swings. With the county's harvest and tourism cycles, there are annual patterns of ups and downs rather than a steady long-term rise or fall.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.1% | 5.5% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 3.8% | 3.4% | 4.3% | 4.2% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 3.6% | 4.2% |
|
4.7% | 5.2% | 4.0% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 3.2% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 4.2% | 4.7% | |
|
5.1% | 5.1% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 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 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 May 2026, Walla Walla County had 28,300 jobs.
Compared with April 2026, May employment increased by 200 jobs.
- 5,200 goods-producing jobs, which is unchanged.
- 200 more service-providing jobs.
- 100 more private jobs.
- 100 more government jobs.
-
Leisure and hospitality had 100 more jobs.
Compared with May 2025, this May’s employment was down by 400 (1.4%) jobs.
- 100 (1.9%) fewer goods-producing jobs.
- 300 (1.3%) fewer service-providing jobs.
- 400 (1.8%) fewer private jobs.
- 6,500 government jobs, which is unchanged.
- Private education and health services 100 (1.3%) fewer jobs; transportation, warehousing and utilities 100 (16.7%) fewer jobs; retail trade and wholesale trade 100 fewer jobs each; and manufacturing had 100 (2.4%) fewer jobs.
Employment estimates for Walla Walla Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
This MSA employment data shows combined data from Columbia and Walla Walla 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 | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 | Apr. 2026 to May 2026 |
May 2025 to May 2026 |
Apr. 2026 to May 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 28,300 | 28,100 | 28,700 | 200 | -400 | -1.4% |
| - Private | 21,800 | 21,700 | 22,200 | 100 | -400 | -1.8% |
| - Government | 6,500 | 6,400 | 6,500 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry sector | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 | Apr. 2026 to May 2026 |
May 2025 to May 2026 |
Apr. 2026 to May 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 5,200 | 5,200 | 5,300 | 0 | -100 | -1.9% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,100 | 0 | -100 | -2.4% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry sector | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 | Apr. 2026 to May 2026 |
May 2025 to May 2026 |
Apr. 2026 to May 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 23,100 | 22,900 | 23,400 | 200 | -300 | -1.3% |
| - Wholesale trade | 600 | 600 | 700 | 0 | -100 | -14.3% |
| - Retail trade | 2,200 | 2,200 | 2,300 | 0 | -100 | -4.3% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 500 | 500 | 600 | 0 | -100 | -16.7% |
| - Information | 200 | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 900 | 900 | 900 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 1,300 | 1,300 | 1,300 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 7,800 | 7,800 | 7,900 | 0 | -100 | -1.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,600 | 2,500 | 2,600 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Other services | 600 | 600 | 600 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 6,500 | 6,400 | 6,500 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2025, updated June 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 29,090 total covered employees.
- Government - 6,242 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 4,468 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 3,884 jobs.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - 3,676 jobs.
- Retail trade - 2,381 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $55,812 for covered employees.
- Finance and insurance - $91,791.
- Professional, scientific and technical services - $81,112.
- Manufacturing - $67,989.
- Government - $66,443.
- Wholesale trade - $65,956.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Walla Walla County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 51,010 | 58.5% | 6.2% |
| 16 to 19 years | 4,443 | 50.5% | 12.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,372 | 79.7% | 12.1% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,589 | 80.9% | 14.3% |
| 30 to 34 years | 3,840 | 74.5% | 1.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 7,558 | 75.2% | 3.8% |
| 45 to 54 years | 6,592 | 75.9% | 1.6% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,826 | 72.0% | 5.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 4,381 | 59.3% | 3.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 6,981 | 28.6% | 5.4% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 38,204 | 57.3% | 5.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 935 | 42.4% | 1.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 756 | 55.3% | 15.3% |
| Asian alone | 974 | 46.2% | 16.7% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 149 | 50.3% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 3,998 | 70.4% | 6.8% |
| Two or more races | 5,994 | 62.9% | 10.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 10,447 | 68.0% | 9.3% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 36,136 | 56.4% | 4.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 34,158 | 74.3% | 5.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 18,151 | 73.7% | 6.1% |
| Female | 16,007 | 74.9% | 5.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 5,059 | 74.5% | 2.7% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 1,013 | 64.3% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 1,040 | 65.9% | 0.4% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 3,006 | 81.0% | 4.1% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,314 | 44.7% | 14.0% |
| At or above the poverty level | 27,954 | 83.2% | 5.2% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,620 | 44.0% | 14.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 28,786 | 73.3% | 4.5% |
| Less than high school graduate | 3,417 | 56.2% | 7.4% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 7,156 | 67.4% | 9.5% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 10,229 | 72.9% | 2.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7,984 | 86.2% | 2.3% |
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.