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September 2026 highlights
Updated October 2026
Compared to August 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 2.9% to 2.4% (237 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 20 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 7,160 jobs).
Asotin County's labor market highlights
- Asotin County unemployment rates remain historically low as labor market strengthens and tightening continues. Regional investments in substantial retail industry, county infrastructure through new county jail and broadband expansion drives local labor force and job growth.
- Service‑providing industries made up 84.2% of all jobs in 2024, continuing to dominate the local economy. Goods‑producing industries accounted for 15.8% of employment, maintaining a smaller but stable share of the labor market. The largest employment sectors are healthcare/social assistance, government, and retail trade.
- Overall, the county’s labor market showed resilience and adaptability, reflecting strong local industry performance
Contact Asotin County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Asotin County is part of the Eastern Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Asotin County is part of the Lewiston-Clarkston Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Employment updates for September 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The September 2026 unemployment rate was 2.4% in Asotin County, 4.3% in Washington state and 4.0% in the United States.
| Measure | September 2026 | August 2026 | September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 9,708 | 9,800 | 9,873 |
| Employed persons | 9,471 | 9,517 | 9,574 |
| Persons seeking work | 237 | 283 | 299 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.4% | 2.9% | 3.0% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Asotin County unemployment rate, January 2024 - September 2026
Asotin County’s unemployment rate reflects a small, mixed economy with agriculture, food processing and boat manufacturing. It shows modest seasonal peaks. With a limited labor base and cross‑border commuting, the rate over time is volatile. The best way to understand unemployment in the county is using seasonally adjusted or multi‑month averages.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.3% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 3.0% | 3.4% | 3.0% | 3.9% | 3.6% | 2.8% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 3.4% |
|
3.8% | 4.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.0% | N/A | 3.5% | 3.9% |
|
3.5% | 3.8% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 2.8% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 2.4% |
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, Asotin County had 7,160 jobs.
Compared with August 2026, September employment increased by 20 jobs.
- 5,860 private jobs, which is unchanged.
- 50 fewer goods-producing jobs.
- 80 more service-providing jobs.
- 30 more government jobs.
- Construction lost the most jobs with 600 fewer over the month, while leisure and hospitality increased the most with 20 more jobs.
Compared with September 2025, this September’s employment was up by 110 (1.6%) jobs.
- 50 (0.9%) more private jobs.
- 10 (1.2%) more goods-producing jobs.
- 100 (1.6%) more service-providing jobs.
- 70 (5.6%) more government jobs.
- Private education and health services added the most jobs with 50, or 2.7%, more, while leisure and hospitality lost the most jobs with 20, or 2.3%, fewer over the year.
Employment estimates for Asotin 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 | 7,160 | 7,140 | 7,050 | 20 | 110 | 1.6% |
| - Private | 5,860 | 5,860 | 5,810 | 0 | 50 | 0.9% |
| - Government | 1,310 | 1,280 | 1,240 | 30 | 70 | 5.6% |
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 | 870 | 920 | 860 | -50 | 10 | 1.2% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 420 | 480 | 430 | -60 | -10 | -2.3% |
| - Manufacturing | 450 | 450 | 440 | 0 | 10 | 2.3% |
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 | 6,290 | 6,210 | 6,190 | 80 | 100 | 1.6% |
| - Wholesale trade | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 1,070 | 1,060 | 1,080 | 10 | -10 | -0.9% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 90 | 90 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 260 | 260 | 270 | 0 | -10 | -3.7% |
| - Professional and business services | 460 | 460 | 450 | 0 | 10 | 2.2% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,900 | 1,900 | 1,850 | 0 | 50 | 2.7% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 860 | 840 | 880 | 20 | -20 | -2.3% |
| - Other services | 190 | 180 | 190 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 1,310 | 1,280 | 1,240 | 30 | 70 | 5.6% |
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 Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) 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 6,694 total covered employees.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 1,517 jobs.
- Government - 1,261 jobs.
- Retail trade - 1,089 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 734 jobs.
- Construction - 440 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2025’s annual average wage was $57,302 for covered employees.
- Wholesale trade - $114,682.
- Finance and insurance - $102,898.
- Construction - $76,926.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $74,683.
- Transportation and warehousing - $71,866.
2025 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Asotin County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 18,631 | 54.7% | 5.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 1,046 | 44.2% | 13.4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 1,093 | 91.1% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,227 | 79.8% | 4.1% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,265 | 70.0% | 3.3% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2,506 | 78.1% | 3.8% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,590 | 82.4% | 7.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,425 | 74.0% | 0.4% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,818 | 51.9% | 8.6% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,170 | 21.3% | 0.0% |
Race and Hispanic or Latino origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 16,709 | 53.6% | 5.5% |
| Black or African American alone | 145 | 75.9% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 200 | 51.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 166 | 81.3% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 0 | - | - |
| Some other race alone | 329 | 60.5% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 1,082 | 64.8% | 2.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 700 | 70.4% | 7.9% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 16,482 | 53.3% | 5.2% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 11,924 | 75.0% | 5.0% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5,787 | 76.9% | 5.3% |
| Female | 6,137 | 73.3% | 4.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 1,737 | 79.3% | 8.3% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 307 | 77.9% | 5.4% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 313 | 70.0% | 4.6% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 1,117 | 82.4% | 9.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,655 | 44.7% | 26.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 10,219 | 80.3% | 3.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 2,107 | 37.3% | 12.6% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 10,831 | 73.4% | 4.8% |
| Less than high school graduate | 734 | 46.0% | 3.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 3,633 | 65.0% | 6.2% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 3,912 | 78.6% | 4.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2,552 | 85.3% | 3.3% |
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.