Benton County profile

Learn about Benton County's unique labor market information and more.

Posted March 2025

Summary

Between 2019 and 2023, Benton County witnessed substantial economic development. The primary sectors of growth were agriculture, food processing, health care, education, and research — particularly at the Hanford Site.

The post-pandemic era saw employment levels stabilize and notable expansion in sectors such as health care, education, and construction. The unemployment rate settled at an average of 4.5% in 2023.

The county's economy has been historically shaped by the Hanford Project, established during World War II for plutonium production, which continues to contribute to the region's scientific and economic vitality. Washington State University's expansion has further bolstered the local workforce, attracting a variety of manufacturers and strengthening the agricultural and wine industries.

Economic diversification efforts have emphasized skill enhancement in key areas and support for small businesses, fostering industrial growth. The economic landscape of Benton County is now characterized by its diversity, with significant activities in sectors ranging from medical equipment to wine tourism, centered around urban hubs of Kennewick, Richland, and Prosser.

Benton County geographic overview

A dark blue map of Washington state with Benton County highlighted in orange.

 

Benton County is in the south-central part of Washington. It is part of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, which includes Kennewick and Richland. The city of Prosser is the county seat. Kennewick is the largest city in the county. Benton County’s population was 206,873 in the 2020 census. In 2022, the Census estimated the population at 212,791, which is 2.9% growth from the 2020 census.

The county covers 1,760 square miles, including 60 square miles of water. It features a mix of agricultural land and rolling prairie-like terrain.

Benton County was created out of Klickitat and Yakima counties in 1905 and was named after Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri.

Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Benton County is part of Area 11, the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.

Benton County employment situation for January 2025

Monthly labor force and unemployment in Benton County, Washington

  • As of January 2025, Benton County has experienced notable employment and unemployment trends. Employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and unemployment.

  • Benton County has over 101,605 people in the labor force, with an increase of 3.3% or 3,207 workers from January 2024. Employed workforce increased by 3.7% or 3,449 workers from January 2023 to January 2024. Unemployed workers decreased by -4.2% or -242 workers. About 5,488 people were unemployed and looking for work.

  • The unemployment rate in the county was 5.4% in January 2025, which increased from 5.3% in December 2024 and unemployment rate decreased from 5.8% in January 2024.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

A chart showing the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States, Washington and Benton County from January 2014 to January 2025.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics 

Monthly nonfarm payroll employment Kennewick-Pasco-Richland MSA

  • As of January 2025, total nonfarm employment in Kennewick-Richland MSA had total of 124,500 jobs, recorded a decrease of -3,700 jobs or -3.0% over-the-month and recording an increase of 1,500 job or 1.2% from January 2024. Private sectors, totaling 104,100 jobs, decreased by -3,600 jobs or 3.5% over-the-month, and recorded an increase of 1,000 jobs or 1.0% from January 2024 to January 2025.

  • Goods producing sectors, with 17,400 jobs, decreased by -2,200 jobs or -12.6% over-the-month and recorded a decrease of -2,100 jobs or -12.1% from January 2024.

    • Mining, logging, and construction with 9,300 jobs decreased by -1,300 jobs or -14.0% over-the-month and over-the-year.

    • Manufacturing, totaling 8,100 jobs, decreased by -900 jobs or -11.1% over-the-month and recorded a decrease of -800 jobs or -9.9% over-the-year.

  • Service providing sectors, with total of 107,100 jobs, decreased by -1,500 jobs or -1.4% from December to January and recorded an increase of 3,600 jobs or 3.4% from January 2024.

    • Trade, transportation, and utilities decreased by -900 jobs or -4.0% over-the-month and recorded an increase of 1,000 jobs or 4.5% over-the-year.

    • Information and financial activities sectors decreased by -100 jobs or -1.8% over-the-month and recorded 500 jobs or 10.0% increase over-the-year.

    • Professional and business services with total of 24,000 jobs recorded decrease of -200 jobs or -0.8% over-the-month and increased by 1,800 jobs or 7.5% over-the-year.

    • Private education and health services with total of 21,200 jobs recorded decrease of -300 jobs or -1.4% over-the-month and increased by 1,200 jobs or 5.7% over-the-year.

    • Leisure and hospitality remained with 10,400 recorded decrease of -100 jobs or -1.0% over-the-month and recording a decrease of -1,300 or -12.5% over-the-year.

  • Government services including public educational services totaled 20,400 jobs, recorded a decrease of -100 jobs or -0.5% over-the-month and recorded an increase of 500 jobs or 2.5% from January 2024.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kennewick-Pasco-Richland Metropolitan Statistical Area (Benton and Franklin Counties)

NAICS Industry Title Jan 2025 (Preliminary) Dec 2024 (Revised) Jan 2024 (Revised) Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change
Total nonfarm 124,500 128,200 123,000 -3,700 1,500 1.2%
--Total private 104,100 107,700 103,100 -3,600 1,000 1.0%
---Goods-producing 17,400 19,600 19,500 -2,200 -2,100 -10.8%
-----Mining, Logging and Construction 9,300 10,600 10,600 -1,300 -1,300 -12.3%
-----Manufacturing 8,100 9,000 8,900 -900 -800 -9.0%
---Service-providing 107,100 108,600 103,500 -1,500 3,600 3.5%
-----Trade, transportation, and utilities 22,300 23,200 21,300 -900 1,000 4.7%
-------Wholesale Trade 3,700 3,700 3,600 0 100 2.8%
-------Retail trade 13,900 14,300 13,800 -400 100 0.7%
-------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities 4,200 4,800 3,900 -600 300 7.7%
-----Information 800 800 800 0 0 0.0%
-----Financial activities 4,700 4,800 4,200 -100 500 11.9%
-----Professional and business services 24,000 24,200 22,200 -200 1,800 8.1%
-------Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services 12,500 12,700 11,200 -200 1,300 11.6%
-----Private education and health services 21,200 21,500 20,000 -300 1,200 6.0%
-----Leisure and hospitality 10,400 10,500 11,700 -100 -1,300 -11.1%
---------Food services and drinking places 7,800 8,000 9,200 -200 -1,400 -15.2%
-----Other services 3,500 3,500 3,600 0 -100 -2.8%
-----Government 20,400 20,500 19,900 -100 500 2.5%
-------Federal government 1,200 1,200 1,200 0 0 0.0%
-------State government 3,000 3,100 3,000 -100 0 0.0%
-------Local government 16,200 16,200 15,700 0 500 3.2%

Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024updated March 17, 2025.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)

Total covered employment in Benton County

In 2023, Benton County’s covered employment saw a notable economic landscape. Benton County’s wages paid totaled $6.55 billion, with an average annual employment of 97,832 and an average annual wage of $67,014. The professional, scientific, and technical services sector led in high wages, averaging $113,115 annually, while administrative and waste services had significant employment at 10,759 with an average wage of $99,165.

Construction and health care and social assistance also showed strong employment figures, with average wages of $80,328 and $60,654, respectively. Retail trade had the highest employment at 10,395 but lower wages at $39,243. Sectors like agriculture and accommodation and food services had lower average wages, reflecting the diverse economic landscape of the county. This figure reflects the diverse economic activities in the region, including agriculture, food processing, medical equipment manufacturing, energy production, and wine tourism.

Employment by industry, Benton County 2023 annual average

A bar graph showing the 2023 annual average industry employment in Benton County

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)

Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.

Average annual covered employment in Benton County was 97,832 in 2023. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.

Top five sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

  • Health care and social assistance (14,608)

  • Government (12,480)

  • Administrative and waste services (10,759)

  • Retail trade (10,395)

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (9,171)

  • Accommodation and food services (8,461)

  • Manufacturing (7,824)

Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Benton County for all industries was $67,014 with payrolls totaling more than $6.55 billion in 2023.

The top five sectors in terms of wage in 2023:

  • Management of companies and enterprises ($144,235)

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services ($113,115)

  • Administrative and waste services ($99,165)

  • Finance and insurance ($89,777)

  • Construction ($80,328)

  • Government ($78,696)

Workforce demographics in Benton County

The labor force participation rate is highest among the 30-34 age group at 85.1%, while the 65-74 age group has the lowest at 21.2%. The majority of the workforce is white (60.7% participation rate).

Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (83.6%) compared to female workers (71.8%). People with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 86.0%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 62.5%.

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Benton County.

Age

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Population 16 years and over 161,217 62.4% 5.0%
16 to 19 years 11,522 38.7% 12.6%
20 to 24 years 12,756 79.9% 7.2%
25 to 29 years 13,723 80.0% 6.0%
30 to 34 years 14,511 85.1% 6.1%
35 to 44 years 28,152 81.9% 4.6%
45 to 54 years 23,260 78.7% 3.0%
55 to 59 years 11,805 73.9% 3.0%
60 to 64 years 12,766 57.9% 3.7%
65 to 74 years 20,163 21.2% 3.8%
75 years and over 12,559 6.8% 4.2%

Race or Hispanic origin

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
White alone 121,267 60.7% 4.6%
Black or African American alone 2,480 68.3% 10.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone 1,458 69.3% 3.6%
Asian alone 5,011 65.3% 3.4%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone 370 66.2% 6.5%
Some other race alone 13,569 66.6% 6.1%
Two or more races 17,062 68.9% 6.7%
Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) 33,791 71.6% 5.9%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 112,912 59.4% 4.5%
Population 20 to 64 years 116,973 77.8% 4.7%

Sex

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Male 59,321 83.6% 4.8%
Female 57,652 71.8% 4.6%

Females with children

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
With own children under 18 22,139 70.9% 4.7%
With own children under 6 only 4,083 70.1% 7.4%
With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 4,773 54.5% 4.6%
With own children 6 to 17 only 13,283 77.1% 4.0%

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Below poverty level 10,867 46.4% 19.0%
At or above the poverty level 105,447 81.5% 3.9%

Disability status

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
With any disability 15,038 48.4% 8.7%

Educational attainment

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Population 25 to 64 years 104,217 77.5% 4.4%
Less than high school graduate 10,972 62.5% 9.1%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 24,269 72.5% 4.9%
Some college or associate's degree 34,593 77.4% 5.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher 34,383 86.0% 2.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status

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