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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 4.7% to 5.6% (5851 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 500 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 130,200 jobs).
Benton County's labor market highlights
- Strong overall wage and employment growth, Benton County paid out $6.98 billion in wages with nearly 99,000 covered jobs, averaging $70,759 per worker, a solid indicator of a healthy, diversified labor market.
- High‑wage sectors are driving the county’s economy, where the professional, scientific, and technical services sector stood out with the highest average wage ($121,269), while administrative and waste services also combined high employment (10,759 jobs) with strong wages ($102,602).
- Employment is broad and diverse across industries including large sectors like health care and social assistance (15,658 jobs) and construction (8,277 jobs), 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.
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 December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 5.6% in Benton County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Benton County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 105,162 | 106,322 | 102,302 |
| Employed persons | 99,311 | 101,278 | 96,919 |
| Persons seeking work | 5,851 | 5,044 | 5,383 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.7% | 5.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Benton County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
Labor force (105,196 in total) grew by 1,543 from August to September 2025, with 2,208 more people employed. Benton County had total of 105,196 people in labor force.
Unemployment fell sharply month‑to‑month (‑665 people), dropping the rate from 4.5% to 3.8%. Compared to September 2024, the labor force is up 1.7% and employment is up 1.7%, showing steady year‑over‑year growth.
Unemployment is nearly unchanged from last year, with only 29 more unemployed and a 0.1‑point lower unemployment rate.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.6% | 6.0% | 5.0% | 3.8% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 4.0% | 4.9% | 4.2% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.8% |
|
5.8% | 6.3% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 4.6% | 4.0% | 4.6% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 4.2% | 4.6% | 5.3% |
|
5.4% | 5.9% | 4.6% | 4.0% | 4.3% | 3.7% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3.8% | 4.8% | 5.6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include persons working outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In December 2025, Benton County had 130,200 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025, there were 500 more jobs (130,700 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 300 fewer jobs in Professional and business services decreased in jobs, driven entirely by a 300‑job decline in administrative and support services
- 100 fewer jobs in Trade, transportation, and utilities declined in jobs, including a 100‑job drop in retail trade.
- 100 fewer jobs in Private education and health services decreased mainly through declines in health services sectors.
- 100 fewer jobs in Government employment decreased in jobs, mostly in local government.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Financial Activities (+100) and Food Services and Drinking Places (+100), both of which added jobs.
In December 2024, there were 1,900 fewer jobs (128,300 in total).
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 600 (7.1%) more jobs in Manufacturing, which posted one of the most robust expansions of the year, signaling sustained demand for locally produced goods and continued strength in the sector’s recovery.
- 800 (3.8%) more jobs in Private education and health services, reflecting ongoing population needs and continued investment in essential community services.
- 500 (4.1%) more jobs in Leisure and hospitality, which recorded solid annual growth, suggesting stronger consumer spending and a rebound in service‑oriented activity.
- 200 (1.0%) more jobs in Government, where hiring rose modestly, driven by local jurisdictions expanding staffing to meet community service demands.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Wholesale trade (+200 jobs, 5.6%), Other services (+100 jobs, 2.9%), and Financial activities (+100 jobs, 2.4%). Annual declines occurred in Transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-300 jobs, 5.8%) and Retail trade (-100 jobs, 0.7%).
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 | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 130,200 | 130,700 | 128,300 | -500 | 1,900 | 1.5% |
| - Private | 109,800 | 110,200 | 108,100 | -400 | 1,700 | 1.6% |
| - Government | 20,400 | 20,500 | 20,200 | -100 | 200 | 1.0% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 20,400 | 20,400 | 19,800 | 0 | 600 | 3.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 11,300 | 11,300 | 11,300 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 9,100 | 9,100 | 8,500 | 0 | 600 | 7.1% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 109,800 | 110,300 | 108,500 | -500 | 1,300 | 1.2% |
| - Wholesale trade | 3,800 | 3,800 | 3,600 | 0 | 200 | 5.6% |
| - Retail trade | 14,100 | 14,200 | 14,200 | -100 | -100 | -0.7% |
| - 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 | 4,100 | 4,100 | 100 | 100 | 2.4% |
| - Professional and business services | 23,400 | 23,700 | 23,500 | -300 | -100 | -0.4% |
| - Private education and health services | 21,700 | 21,800 | 20,900 | -100 | 800 | 3.8% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 12,600 | 12,600 | 12,100 | 0 | 500 | 4.1% |
| - Other services | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,500 | 0 | 100 | 2.9% |
| - Government | 20,400 | 20,500 | 20,200 | -100 | 200 | 1.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2025, updated January 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 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 | 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
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.