Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 6.3% to 5.6%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 580 jobs in Grant County from May 2024.
Summary
Grant County has a labor supply of 45,020 workers as of May 2025. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 5.6%. Nonfarm employment in Grant County was 34,260 in May 2025, a decrease of 580 jobs from May 2024 but an increase of 70 jobs from April 2025. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 8,976 out of 42,564 total annual average employment. The county has 2,495 establishments. Grant County’s 16 and older population was 75,012 in 2023.
Geography
Grant County is in central Washington. The county has a large lake where it’s largest city, Moses Lake, surrounds it and takes the name.
Employment situation for May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6% during May 2025, up from 5.1% in May 2024.
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The labor force decreased by 1,483 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
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The total employed workers decreased by 1,667 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
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Nonfarm employment in Grant County was 34,260 in May 2025, a decrease of 580 jobs from May 2024 but an increase of 70 jobs from April 2025.
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Manufacturing decreased by 120 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025, however remained unchanged over the month.
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Construction decreased by 120 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025 and decreased by 170 jobs over the month.
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Retail trade decreased by 160 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025, and decreased 20 jobs from April 2025.
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Professional and business services decreased 240 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025 and decreased 20 jobs over the month.
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Leisure and hospitality increased by 30 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025 and increased 10 jobs over the month.
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The government sector gained 120 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025 and increased by 290 jobs over the month. One month job gains were mostly in state government, which increased by 120 jobs, and local government, which increased by 180 jobs.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Grant County
| NAICS Industry Title | May 2025 (Prelim) | Apr 2025 (Revised) | May 2024 (Revised) | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 34,260 | 34,190 | 34,840 | 70 | -580 | -1.7% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 24,830 | 25,050 | 25,540 | -220 | -710 | -2.8% |
| Goods-producing | 6,290 | 6,460 | 6,530 | -170 | -240 | -3.7% |
| - Mining and logging | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 1,720 | 1,890 | 1,840 | -170 | -120 | -6.5% |
| - Manufacturing | 4,520 | 4,520 | 4,640 | 0 | -120 | -2.6% |
| Service-providing | 27,970 | 27,730 | 28,320 | 240 | -350 | -1.2% |
| - Wholesale trade | 2,000 | 2,050 | 2,020 | -50 | -20 | -1.0% |
| - Retail trade | 3,420 | 3,440 | 3,580 | -20 | -160 | -4.5% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 1,130 | 1,090 | 1,160 | 40 | -30 | -2.6% |
| - Information | 660 | 660 | 680 | 0 | -20 | -2.9% |
| - Financial activities | 860 | 870 | 830 | -10 | 30 | 3.6% |
| - Professional and business services | 3,030 | 3,050 | 3,270 | -20 | -240 | -7.3% |
| - Private education and health services | 3,530 | 3,520 | 3,550 | 10 | -20 | -0.6% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 3,290 | 3,280 | 3,260 | 10 | 30 | 0.9% |
| - Other services | 640 | 630 | 650 | 10 | -10 | -1.5% |
| - Government | 9,430 | 9,140 | 9,310 | 290 | 120 | 1.3% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated June 18, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Detailed tables can be found on the source page in the third spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted.
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Grant County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (8,976 jobs)
- Local government (7,364 jobs)
- Manufacturing (4,532 jobs)
- Retail trade (3,538 jobs)
- Health services (3,114 jobs)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Grant County was $60,334, which was 69.3% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.
Top five sectors in terms of wages/payroll in 2023:
- Local government ($523.8 million)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing ($352.9 million)
- Manufacturing ($312.0 million)
- Professional and business services ($236.1 million)
- Wholesale trade ($177.4 million)
Workforce demographics for Grant County
Grant County’s 16 and older population was 75,012 in 2023. The labor force participation rate in Grant County was 63.3% with an average unemployment rate of 6.9%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Grant County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 75,012 | 62.6% | 6.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 6,418 | 44.4% | 12.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6,605 | 77.7% | 14.2% |
| 25 to 29 years | 6,945 | 82.4% | 4.0% |
| 30 to 34 years | 6,781 | 78.9% | 2.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 12,116 | 81.8% | 4.2% |
| 45 to 54 years | 10,846 | 81.3% | 5.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 5,289 | 71.8% | 8.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 5,619 | 53.4% | 7.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 8,714 | 22.4% | 3.3% |
| 75 years and over | 5,679 | 7.7% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 46,100 | 57.3% | 5.7% |
| Black or African American alone | 903 | 55.5% | 8.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,239 | 67.2% | 10.5% |
| Asian alone | 946 | 78.4% | 15.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 18 | 27.8% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 15,352 | 73.1% | 6.0% |
| Two or more races | 10,454 | 69.4% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 28,585 | 74.0% | 6.5% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 41,058 | 55.4% | 6.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 54,201 | 77.0% | 6.1% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 28,198 | 82.6% | 6.4% |
| Female | 26,003 | 70.9% | 5.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 10,978 | 73.0% | 3.9% |
| With own children under 6 only | 1,928 | 67.6% | 1.5% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 3,457 | 65.5% | 5.6% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 5,593 | 79.5% | 3.8% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 7,811 | 50.2% | 20.8% |
| At or above the poverty level | 46,207 | 81.8% | 4.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 6,934 | 43.6% | 10.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 47,596 | 76.9% | 5.0% |
| Less than high school graduate | 9,348 | 72.8% | 5.5% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 13,532 | 74.0% | 4.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 15,901 | 77.1% | 3.0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8,815 | 85.2% | 8.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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.