County Profiles
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- Washington Counties
- Posted February 2025
Washington State Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 swiftly and deeply impacted Washington’s labor market. During the brief recession, Washington employers shed approximately 430,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate reached a record high 14.8%.
Economic recovery was rapid and uneven. Total nonfarm employment reached pre-pandemic levels by summer 2022. Within that, some industries, such as information, recovered within months of the crisis. Others, such as manufacturing, have yet to reach pre-pandemic employment levels.
Over the past couple of years, rapid employment growth that characterized the post-pandemic recovery has slowed. Some industries, such as healthcare, continue to expand employment. Others, such as information, have shed jobs over the past couple of years.
Geographic overview
Washington is in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, neighboring Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east, British Columbia, Canada, to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Washington is part of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ West region. It includes the following Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs):
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
- Seattle-Bellevue-Everett
- Tacoma-Lakewood
- Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater
- Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard
- Mount Vernon-Anacortes
- Portland (Ore.)-Vancouver (Wash.)-Hillsboro (Ore.)
- Longview
- Spokane-Spokane Valley
- Kennewick-Richland
- Walla Walla
- Yakima
- Bellingham
- Wenatchee
Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for more about information about Washington.
Washington has 12 regional workforce areas overseen by Workforce Development Boards. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in December 2024, down one tenth of one percentage point from the previous month and down from 4.6% observed 12 months ago.
- The labor force decreased by 0.9% compared to December 2023, losing 37,622 participants.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
- Total nonfarm employment increased by 6,800 from November 2024 to December 2024.
- From November 2024 to December 2024, not seasonally adjusted employment increased in seven major industry sectors and decreased in five. The two largest expansions were observed in leisure and hospitality (+6,600), information (+2,800) and transportation, warehousing and utilities (+2,300). Employers in the government sector collectively shed the largest number of jobs in December (-5,300).
- From December 2023 to December 2024, total nonfarm employment increased by 30,600 or 0.8%.
- Overall, employment in five major industries expanded and six contracted. Two industries (mining and logging and financial activities) remained unchanged over the year.
- Employment in education and health services and government expanded the most (+19,400 and 17,600 respectively). Wholesale trade and manufacturing lost the most jobs (+4,700 and 1,600 respectively).
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Washington state
| NAICS Industry Title | Dec 2024 (Preliminary) | Nov 2024 (Revised) | Dec 2023 (Revised) | Nov 2024 to Dec 2024 change | Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 change | Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Nonfarm | 3,637,300 | 3,630,500 | 3,606,700 | 6,800 | 30,600 | 0.8% |
| Total Private | 3,022,200 | 3,010,100 | 3,009,200 | 12,100 | 13,000 | 0.4% |
| Goods Producing | 502,100 | 503,400 | 504,900 | -1,300 | -2,800 | -0.6% |
| ---Mining and Logging | 5,400 | 5,400 | 5,400 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Construction | 225,100 | 223,600 | 226,300 | 1,500 | -1,200 | -0.5% |
| ---Manufacturing | 271,600 | 274,400 | 273,200 | -2,800 | -1,600 | -0.6% |
| Service Providing | 3,135,200 | 3,127,100 | 3,101,800 | 8,100 | 33,400 | 1.1% |
| ---Wholesale Trade | 136,200 | 136,900 | 140,900 | -700 | -4,700 | -3.3% |
| ---Retail Trade | 338,900 | 337,400 | 340,200 | 1,500 | -1,300 | -0.4% |
| ---Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 144,000 | 141,700 | 142,200 | 2,300 | 1,800 | 1.3% |
| ---Information | 164500 | 161700 | 163800 | 2,800 | 700 | 0.4% |
| ---Financial Activities | 163,700 | 163,800 | 163,700 | -100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 552,000 | 552,400 | 550,600 | -400 | 1,400 | 0.3% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 561,000 | 560,600 | 541,600 | 400 | 19,400 | 3.6% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 339,400 | 332,800 | 339,500 | 6,600 | -100 | 0.0% |
| ---Other Services | 120,400 | 119,400 | 121,800 | 1,000 | -1,400 | -1.1% |
| ---Government | 615,100 | 620,400 | 597,500 | -5,300 | 17,600 | 2.9% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2024, updated Jan. 16, 2025. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Total covered employment
Washington has a diverse labor market with substantial local variation. Government is the largest sector in terms of employment, which includes federal, state and local government and activities ranging from administration to public education, public utilities, tribal enterprise and more. The largest private sector industries are healthcare and social assistance, retail trade and manufacturing.
Employment by industry, Washington state 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Washington was 3,559,653 and the average annual wage was $87,091 in 2023.
Top five sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (571,013)
- Health care and social assistance (455,748)
- Retail trade (332,139)
- Accommodation and food services (283,296)
- Manufacturing (270,979)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another.
Top five sectors in terms of average annual wage in 2023:
- Information ($251,234)
- Management of companies and enterprises ($212,551)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($143,303)
- Utilities ($128,822)
- Finance and insurance ($126,494)
Workforce demographics for Washington state
Age
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 19 years | 365,567 | 40.20% | 16.60% |
| 20 to 24 years | 477,787 | 79.20% | 8.80% |
| 25 to 29 years | 566,940 | 84.90% | 5.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 606,494 | 83.40% | 4.70% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,092,809 | 83.30% | 4.10% |
| 45 to 54 years | 934,040 | 82.30% | 3.50% |
| 55 to 59 years | 460,694 | 74.60% | 3.80% |
| 60 to 64 years | 488,857 | 58.60% | 3.50% |
| 65 to 74 years | 772,064 | 24.80% | 3.60% |
| 75 years and over | 487,249 | 5.90% | 3.80% |
| Population 16 years and over | 6,252,501 | 64.70% | 5.00% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 4,627,621 | 79.40% | 4.60% |
| Population 25 to 64 years | 4,149,834 | 79.50% | 4.10% |
Race and Hispanic or Latino origin
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 4,394,285 | 62.30% | 4.70% |
| Black or African American alone | 241,312 | 69.70% | 7.40% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 69,995 | 61.00% | 8.10% |
| Asian alone | 613,005 | 70.10% | 3.50% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 41,512 | 69.40% | 6.10% |
| Some other race alone | 312,691 | 73.10% | 5.60% |
| Two or more races | 579,701 | 70.00% | 6.80% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 742,087 | 72.90% | 5.90% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 4,213,100 | 61.90% | 4.70% |
Sex
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 2,368,049 | 84.70% | 4.70% |
| Female | 2,259,572 | 73.90% | 4.50% |
Females with children
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| children under 18 | 779,573 | 71.90% | 4.30% |
| children under 6 only | 183,193 | 68.60% | 4.70% |
| children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 157,076 | 61.80% | 5.60% |
| children 6 to 17 only | 439,304 | 76.80% | 3.70% |
Poverty status over the past 12 months
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 430,738 | 45.00% | 22.10% |
| At or above the poverty level | 4,140,197 | 83.60% | 3.60% |
Disability status
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 501,627 | 50.60% | 10.00% |
Educational attainment
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 326,059 | 66.10% | 7.10% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 886,366 | 73.50% | 5.50% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 1,288,226 | 77.80% | 4.50% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,649,183 | 86.60% | 2.80% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, S2301 | Employment Status
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.