Posted April 2025
March 2025 Highlights
In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 6.4% to 7.5% over the year and total nonfarm employment increased by 890 jobs over the year.
Summary
Grant County has a labor supply of 37,755 workers as of March 2025. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 7.5%. Nonfarm employment in Grant County was 34,690 in March 2025, an increase of 890 jobs from March 2024 and an increase of 270 jobs from February 2025. The government sector gained 310 jobs over the year and increased 180 over the month. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 8,187 out of 45,448 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 March 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Grant County was 7.5% during March 2025, up from 6.4% in March 2024.
- The March 2025 labor force was 37,755 workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
- Nonfarm employment in Grant County was 34,690 in March 2025, an increase of 890 jobs from March 2024 and an increase of 270 jobs from February 2025.
- Manufacturing increased by 30 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025, however decreased by 210 jobs over the month.
- Construction decreased by 80 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025, however increased by 100 jobs over the month.
- Trade transportation and utilities increased by 120 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and increased 10 over the month.
- Professional and business services increased 230 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and increased 20 jobs over the month.
- Leisure and hospitality accommodation and food services increased by 210 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and increased 70 jobs over the month.
- The government sector gained 310 jobs over the year and increased by 180 jobs over the month. Over the year job gains were mostly in state and local government.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Grant County
| NAICS Industry Title | Mar 2025 (Prelim) | Feb 2025 (Revised) | Mar 2024 (Revised) | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 34,690 | 34,420 | 33,800 | 270 | 890 | 2.6% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 25,410 | 25,330 | 24,840 | 80 | 570 | 2.3% |
| Goods-producing | 6,340 | 6,450 | 6,380 | -110 | -40 | -0.6% |
| - Mining and logging | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 1,830 | 1,730 | 1,910 | 100 | -80 | -4.2% |
| - Manufacturing | 4,460 | 4,670 | 4,430 | -210 | 30 | 0.7% |
| Service-providing | 28,340 | 27,970 | 27,410 | 370 | 930 | 3.4% |
| - Wholesale trade | 2,080 | 2,090 | 2,090 | -10 | -10 | -0.5% |
| - Retail trade | 3,630 | 3,580 | 3,540 | 50 | 90 | 2.5% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 1,160 | 1,180 | 1,130 | -20 | 30 | 2.7% |
| - Information | 670 | 660 | 680 | 10 | -10 | -1.5% |
| - Financial activities | 810 | 800 | 810 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 3,400 | 3,380 | 3,170 | 20 | 230 | 7.3% |
| - Private education and health services | 3,520 | 3,500 | 3,460 | 20 | 60 | 1.7% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 3,160 | 3,090 | 2,950 | 70 | 210 | 7.1% |
| - Other services | 630 | 600 | 630 | 30 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 9,270 | 9,090 | 8,960 | 180 | 310 | 3.5% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated April 17, 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.