- Posted February 2025
Summary
Nonfarm jobs totaled 25,210 in Clallam County in December 2024 (preliminary) — unchanged from the revised November data. There were modest gains of 90 jobs in leisure and hospitality and 80 in service providing employment compared with the same period last month. Construction lost -90 and government lost -30.
Nonfarm job totals were up 410 compared with the same period last year. Government gained 410, leisure and hospitality gained 110, and professional and business services gained 110 jobs from December 2023 to December 2024. Education and health services lost 130 and goods producing lost 50.
The preliminary unemployment rate in Clallam County was 6.1% in December 2024 — a slight increase from the November revised rate of 5.8%. The unemployment rate was 6.3% in December 2023.
Location
Clallam County occupies a long and narrow area in the most northwestern corner of Washington state. Encompassing part of the Olympic Peninsula, the county includes 1,738 square miles of mostly forested and mountainous land. Clallam County is full of natural wonders and many tourists and locals visit the Olympic National Park, which attracted over 2.7 million visitors in 2021.
The region's 200 miles of coastline have fostered maritime and fishing industries. Traditionally, much of the economy of the county has reflected this natural abundance with jobs in forestry, wood products and fisheries. As demand has declined for goods-producing and agricultural products in the county, the service sector, including leisure and tourism, has grown in their place.
Clallam County is part of the Olympic Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for December 2024
Monthly labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.1% in December 2024, up from 5.8% in November and down from 6.3% in December 2023.
- The labor force contracted by 699 or 2.4% relative to December 2023.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment in Clallam County
- Total nonfarm employment remained unchanged from November to December 2024.
- Employment increased in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services and manufacturing from November 2024 to December 2024. Employment decreased in construction, government and trade transportation and utilities (including retail trade) over the same time.
- From December 2023 to December 2024, total nonfarm employment expanded by 410 jobs.
- Overall, the largest gains were posted in government, leisure and hospitality and professional business services.
- Employment in education and health services suffered the largest loss from December 2023 to December 2024.
- The winter months will impact nonfarm employment, as job growth in Clallam County is highly seasonal; we will see smaller gains moving forward.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Clallam County
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAICS Industry Title | 45,627 | 45,597 | 45,261 | Dec-24 | Dec-24 | Dec-24 |
| Total Nonfarm | 25,210 | 25,210 | 24,800 | 0 | 410 | 1.7% |
| Total Private | 16,640 | 16,610 | 16,640 | 30 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Goods Producing | 2,730 | 2,810 | 2,780 | -80 | -50 | -1.8% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 1,610 | 1,700 | 1,640 | -90 | -30 | -1.8% |
| ---Manufacturing | 1,120 | 1,110 | 1,140 | 10 | -20 | -1.8% |
| -------Durable Goods | 780 | 770 | 800 | 10 | -20 | -2.5% |
| -------Nondurable Goods | 340 | 340 | 340 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service Providing | 22,480 | 22,400 | 22,020 | 80 | 460 | 2.1% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 4,210 | 4,220 | 4,220 | -10 | -10 | -0.2% |
| -------Wholesale Trade | 340 | 350 | 350 | -10 | -10 | -2.9% |
| -------Retail Trade | 3,410 | 3,410 | 3,410 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 460 | 460 | 460 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 820 | 820 | 820 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 1,900 | 1,880 | 1,790 | 20 | 110 | 6.1% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 3,200 | 3,200 | 3,330 | 0 | -130 | -3.9% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 2,980 | 2,890 | 2,870 | 90 | 110 | 3.8% |
| ---Government | 8,570 | 8,600 | 8,160 | -30 | 410 | 5.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2024, updated Jan. 16, 2025. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry employment (covered employment) in Clallam County
Employment by industry, Clallam County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Clallam County was 24,603 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.
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Washington state for all industries was $87,054 in 2023. The average annual wage in Clallam County was $52,503 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (8,029)
- Retail trade (3,525)
- Health care and social assistance (2,924)
- Accommodation and food services (2,639)
- Construction (1,287)
The top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Management of companies and enterprises ($80,306)
- Finance and insurance ($70,361)
- Information ($69,252)
- Professional, scientific and technical services ($67,009)
- Government ($66,931)
Workforce demographics in Clallam County
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Clallam County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 66,470 | 47.8% | 6.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 2,830 | 40.1% | 18.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 3,078 | 72.6% | 12.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,733 | 82.2% | 8.8% |
| 30 to 34 years | 4,301 | 73.1% | 5.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 8,622 | 77.7% | 5.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 7,550 | 73.6% | 4.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 4,598 | 60.4% | 6.0% |
| 60 to 64 years | 7,332 | 51.8% | 3.2% |
| 65 to 74 years | 14,569 | 19.0% | 3.3% |
| 75 years and over | 9,857 | 5.9% | 2.2% |
Race and Hispanic or Latino origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 56,363 | 46.0% | 5.7% |
| Black or African American alone | 551 | 49.4% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 2,141 | 59.8% | 10.5% |
| Asian alone | 1,232 | 64.4% | 7.4% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 33 | 42.4% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 1,246 | 65.7% | 5.8% |
| Two or more races | 4,904 | 54.0% | 6.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 3,477 | 62.8% | 6.3% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 55,360 | 45.7% | 5.6% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 39,214 | 69.6% | 5.8% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 19,591 | 71.8% | 6.3% |
| Female | 19,623 | 67.4% | 5.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 5,604 | 71.6% | 3.7% |
| With own children under 6 only | 1,133 | 55.1% | 5.3% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 1,496 | 67.6% | 4.7% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,975 | 79.8% | 2.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 5,075 | 37.1% | 34.7% |
| At or above the poverty level | 33,556 | 75.6% | 3.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 6,819 | 38.9% | 15.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 36,136 | 69.3% | 5.2% |
| Less than high school graduate | 3,186 | 54.7% | 10.2% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 9,516 | 68.9% | 4.1% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 13,633 | 67.4% | 7.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9,801 | 77.2% | 2.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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