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July 2026 highlights
Updated August 2026
Compared to June 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.2% to 3.7% (3,931 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 100 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 130,100 jobs).
Benton County's labor market highlights
- Benton County dynamic population growth has contributed to strong labor market activity and stable unemployment rates.
- Employment is broad and diverse across industries including large sectors like health care and social assistance and construction, while industries such as agriculture, food processing, energy production and wine tourism highlight the county’s wide economic base, even though some of these sectors have lower average wages.
- Strong overall wage and employment growth in Benton County is a solid indicator of a healthy and diversified economic make up. High-tech fields are balanced by agriculture, energy production, food processing and a rapidly expanding wine tourism sector.
Contact Benton County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Benton County is part of the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Benton County is part of the Kennewick-Richland Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Employment updates for July 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The July 2026 unemployment rate was 3.7% in Benton County, 4.5% in Washington state and 4.4% in the United States.
| Measure | July 2026 | June 2026 | July 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 105,206 | 105,630 | 107,969 |
| Employed persons | 101,275 | 101,179 | 103,274 |
| Persons seeking work | 3,931 | 4,451 | 4,695 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Benton County unemployment rate, January 2024 - July 2026
Benton County’s unemployment rate is shaped by a diversified local economy. It includes federal contracting (Hanford), manufacturing and irrigated agriculture. It doesn't have the same seasonality as small farm counties. Instead, it is more responsive to regional industrial cycles and federal spending patterns.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.8% | 6.2% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 4.6% | 3.9% | 4.5% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 4.0% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
|
5.3% | 5.8% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 3.7% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3.9% | N/A | 5.0% | 5.6% |
|
5.5% | 5.6% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 4.8% | 4.2% | 3.7% |
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 July 2026, Benton County had 130,100 jobs.
Compared with June 2026, July employment increased by 100 jobs.
- 800 more private jobs.
- 300 more goods-producing jobs. Manufacturing had 200 more jobs, and mining, logging and construction had 100 more jobs.
- 200 fewer service-providing jobs. Professional and business services had 200 more jobs, retail trade had 100 more jobs and leisure and hospitality had 100 more jobs.
- 700 fewer government jobs.
Compared with July 2025, this July’s employment was down by 900 (0.7%) jobs.
- 900 (0.8%) fewer private jobs.
- 900 (4.2%) fewer goods-producing jobs. Manufacturing had 900 or 9.6% fewer jobs.
- 109,700 service-providing jobs, which is unchanged. Private education and health services had 700 or 3.3% more jobs. Wholesale trade had 200 or 5.3% more jobs.
- 19,700 government jobs, which is unchanged.
- Largest losses were in professional and business services and transportation, warehousing and utilities.
Employment estimates for Kennewick–Richland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
This MSA employment data shows combined data from Benton and Franklin 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 | Jul. 2026 | Jun. 2026 | Jul. 2025 | Jun. 2026 to Jul. 2026 |
Jul. 2025 to Jul. 2026 |
Jul. 2025 to Jul. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 130,100 | 130,000 | 131,000 | 100 | -900 | -0.7% |
| - Private | 110,400 | 109,600 | 111,300 | 800 | -900 | -0.8% |
| - Government | 19,700 | 20,400 | 19,700 | -700 | 0 | 0.0% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry sector | Jul. 2026 | Jun. 2026 | Jul. 2025 | Jun. 2026 to Jul. 2026 |
Jul. 2025 to Jul. 2026 |
Jul. 2025 to Jul. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 20,400 | 20,100 | 21,300 | 300 | -900 | -4.2% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 11,900 | 11,800 | 11,900 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 8,500 | 8,300 | 9,400 | 200 | -900 | -9.6% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry sector | Jul. 2026 | Jun. 2026 | Jul. 2025 | Jun. 2026 to Jul. 2026 |
Jul. 2025 to Jul. 2026 |
Jul. 2025 to Jul. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 109,700 | 109,900 | 109,700 | -200 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Wholesale trade | 4,000 | 4,000 | 3,800 | 0 | 200 | 5.3% |
| - Retail trade | 13,800 | 13,700 | 13,800 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 4,900 | 4,900 | 5,200 | 0 | -300 | -5.8% |
| - Information | 700 | 700 | 700 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 4,200 | 4,200 | 4,200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 23,300 | 23,100 | 24,300 | 200 | -1,000 | -4.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 22,100 | 22,100 | 21,400 | 0 | 700 | 3.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 12,700 | 12,600 | 12,800 | 100 | -100 | -0.8% |
| - Other services | 3,700 | 3,700 | 3,700 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 19,700 | 20,400 | 19,700 | -700 | 0 | 0.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2026, updated August 20, 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
2024’s annual average was 98,673 total covered employees.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 15,648 jobs.
- Government - 12,684 jobs.
- Administrative and waste services - 10,878 jobs.
- Retail trade - 10,056 jobs.
- Professional, scientific and technical services - 9,855 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $70,803 for covered employees.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $121,271.
- Utilities - $119,242.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $102,531.
- Administrative and waste services - $102,511.
- Finance and insurance - $91,037.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics in Benton County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 164,331 | 61.6% | 5.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 12,129 | 38.5% | 15.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 13,004 | 79.6% | 7.4% |
| 25 to 29 years | 13,874 | 80.5% | 5.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 14,879 | 80.6% | 7.0% |
| 35 to 44 years | 28,932 | 82.6% | 4.8% |
| 45 to 54 years | 23,401 | 77.1% | 2.7% |
| 55 to 59 years | 11,498 | 73.7% | 3.3% |
| 60 to 64 years | 12,818 | 58.1% | 4.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 20,761 | 21.1% | 3.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 119,930 | 59.5% | 4.8% |
| Black or African American alone | 2,377 | 66.0% | 10.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,643 | 73.1% | 4.6% |
| Asian alone | 5,360 | 63.5% | 5.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 401 | 64.6% | 5.9% |
| Some other race alone | 13,662 | 65.5% | 6.2% |
| Two or more races | 20,958 | 68.8% | 6.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 35,766 | 70.0% | 5.7% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 113,348 | 58.5% | 4.9% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 118,406 | 77.2% | 4.9% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 60,183 | 82.2% | 5.1% |
| Female | 58,223 | 71.9% | 4.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 22,575 | 69.7% | 4.9% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 4,168 | 68.2% | 8.1% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 4,993 | 56.2% | 7.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 13,414 | 75.3% | 3.3% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 11,801 | 44.8% | 20.4% |
| At or above the poverty level | 105,945 | 81.2% | 4.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 15,857 | 47.3% | 9.3% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 105,402 | 76.8% | 4.6% |
| Less than high school graduate | 11,743 | 59.2% | 10.2% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 24,889 | 72.6% | 5.4% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 33,309 | 77.3% | 5.1% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35,461 | 85.3% | 2.5% |
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.