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March 2026 highlights
Updated May 2026
Compared to February 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 6.0% to 5.9% (2,767 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 100 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 41,800 jobs).
Cowlitz County's labor market highlights
- Timber and wood products have historically been a large part of Cowlitz County’s economy. The industry has declined statewide as paper mills have consolidated, but several firms are still operating in Longview.
- Manufacturing is the largest industry in the county. Paper and wood products make up the bulk of employment, with food manufacturing following closely behind.
- The county is well connected to road, rail and maritime transportation, making it an important trade hub. The highest average annual wages in the county are in the transportation and warehousing industry.
Contact Cowlitz County's labor economist
Emily Robertson, Southwest coastal region
- Email Emily: emily.robertson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Emily: 360-463-7813
Cowlitz County is part of the Southwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Cowlitz County is known as the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Employment updates for March 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The March 2026 unemployment rate was 5.9% in Cowlitz County, 5.1% in Washington state and 4.3% in the United States.
| Measure | Mar. 2026 | Feb. 2026 | Mar. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 47,177 | 47,103 | 46,849 |
| Employed persons | 44,410 | 44,268 | 44,311 |
| Persons seeking work | 2,767 | 2,835 | 2,538 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Cowlitz County unemployment rate, Jan. 2024 to March 2026
Cowlitz County's unemployment rate tends to be higher than the statewide rate, with more seasonal volatility. However, unemployment remained low by historical standards throughout 2025.
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.8% | 6.4% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 4.9% | 4.4% | 5.2% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 4.6% | 5.1% | 5.2% |
|
5.5% | 6.2% | 5.4% | 4.9% | 5.0% | 4.3% | 5.1% | 5.4% | 4.6% | 5.7% | 6.2% | |
|
6.0% | 6.0% | 5.9% |
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 March 2026, Cowlitz County had 41,800 jobs.
One month ago, in Feb. 2026 there were 100 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 41,900 jobs).
- 100 fewer goods-producing jobs. Decreases occurred in mining, logging, and construction.
- 30,700 service-providing jobs, which is unchanged.
- Employment increased in private education and health services but decreased in government.
One year ago, in Mar. 2025 there were 200 (0.5%) more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 42,000 jobs).
- 100 (1.4%) more private education and health services jobs. This was one of only two industries with employment growth over the year.
- 100 (1.4%) more manufacturing jobs.
- 200 (5.1%) fewer mining, logging and construction jobs.
- 100 (2.0%) fewer retail trade jobs.
Employment estimates for Cowlitz 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 | Mar 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 41,800 | 41,900 | 42,000 | -100 | -200 | -0.5% |
| - Private | 35,100 | 35,100 | 35,200 | 0 | -100 | -0.3% |
| - Government | 6,700 | 6,800 | 6,800 | -100 | -100 | -1.5% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry sector | Mar 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 11,100 | 11,200 | 11,200 | -100 | -100 | -0.9% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 3,700 | 3,800 | 3,900 | -100 | -200 | -5.1% |
| - Manufacturing | 7,400 | 7,400 | 7,300 | 0 | 100 | 1.4% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry sector | Mar 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 30,700 | 30,700 | 30,800 | 0 | -100 | -0.3% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 7,800 | 7,800 | 8,000 | 0 | -200 | -2.5% |
| - - Retail trade | 4,800 | 4,800 | 4,900 | 0 | -100 | -2.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 1,700 | 1,600 | 2,500 | 100 | -800 | -32.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 7,100 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 100 | 100 | 1.4% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 3,400 | 3,300 | 3,400 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 6,700 | 6,800 | 6,800 | -100 | -100 | -1.5% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2025, updated April 30, 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
November 2024’s annual average was 41,235 total covered employees.
- Manufacturing - 7,250 jobs.
- Government - 6,553 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 6,425 jobs.
- Retail trade - 4,987 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 3,253 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $67,600 for covered employees.
- Transportation and warehousing - $139,647.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $94,915.
- Construction - $86,152.
- Information - $84,716.
- Manufacturing - $84,139.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics for Cowlitz County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 90,051 | 56.7% | 5.9% |
| 16 to 19 years | 5,216 | 40.0% | 24.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,889 | 75.3% | 6.8% |
| 25 to 29 years | 6,808 | 83.8% | 6.2% |
| 30 to 34 years | 7,480 | 78.3% | 4.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 13,988 | 80.1% | 4.5% |
| 45 to 54 years | 13,455 | 76.2% | 4.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 6,827 | 71.3% | 5.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 8,158 | 47.9% | 6.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 13,167 | 18.0% | 3.8% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 76,691 | 55.7% | 5.0% |
| Black or African American alone | 576 | 57.3% | 33.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,132 | 58.6% | 20.8% |
| Asian alone | 1,236 | 52.6% | 2.3% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 318 | 67.3% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 2,348 | 75.2% | 9.1% |
| Two or more races | 7,750 | 61.8% | 9.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 7,735 | 75.2% | 9.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 74,157 | 54.9% | 5.1% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 62,605 | 73.9% | 5.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 31,532 | 78.6% | 3.7% |
| Female | 31,073 | 69.1% | 6.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 10,538 | 72.3% | 8.2% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 2,249 | 64.2% | 7.2% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 2,279 | 59.5% | 3.5% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 6,010 | 80.3% | 9.8% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 7,851 | 38.9% | 17.6% |
| At or above the poverty level | 54,512 | 79.2% | 4.3% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 11,877 | 51.5% | 13.9% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 56,716 | 73.7% | 5.0% |
| Less than high school graduate | 6,031 | 64.8% | 7.5% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 17,826 | 68.2% | 4.2% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 23,195 | 77.7% | 5.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9,664 | 80.0% | 3.6% |
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.