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March 2026 highlights
Updated May 2026
Compared to February 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.0% to 4.9% (1,761 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 70 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 18,710 jobs).
Island County's labor market highlights
- Island County is situated in the Salish Sea in northwest Washington. As its name suggests, it is made up of several islands. The two largest are Whidbey and Camano.
- Island County is the second smallest county in Washington by landmass, just larger than neighboring San Juan County. The county is bounded to the north by Deception Pass and to the south by Puget Sound. Skagit Bay and Saratoga Passage are located to the east, and Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are west. Skagit and Snohomish counties lie to the east of the county, and the Olympic Peninsula lies across the water to the west.
- The largest employer is U.S. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor. Oak Harbor is the largest city in the county.
Contact Island County's labor economist
Toby Paterson, North sound region
- Email Toby: toby.paterson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Toby: 360-742-2491
Island County is part of the Northwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Island County is one of six counties included in the Seattle-Tacoma Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA).
Employment updates for March 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The March 2026 unemployment rate was 4.9% in Island County, 5.1% in Washington state and 4.3% in the United States.
| Measure | Mar. 2026 | Feb. 2026 | Mar. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 35,805 | 35,836 | 35,060 |
| Employed persons | 34,044 | 34,038 | 33,442 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,761 | 1,798 | 1,618 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | 4.6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Island County's unemployment rate, Jan. 2024 to March 2026
The unemployment rate changes throughout the year, rising and falling based on the size of the labor force and the number of unemployed people.
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.2% | 5.6% | 4.9% | 4.1% | 4.4% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 4.7% | 3.8% | 4.4% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
|
5.0% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 4.2% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 4.3% | 4.6% | 4.0% | 5.0% | 5.3% | |
|
5.0% | 5.0% | 4.9% |
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, Island County had 18,710 jobs.
One month ago, in Feb. 2026 there were 70 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 18,780 jobs).
- 20 more manufacturing jobs. Durable goods manufacturing added 30 jobs to the sector.
- 70 more retail trade jobs.
- 30 more private education and health services jobs.
- 90 fewer leisure and hospitality jobs.
One year ago, in Mar. 2025 there were 140 (0.8%) fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 18,570 jobs).
- 90 (7.6%) more construction jobs.
- 10 (0.3%) fewer private education and health services jobs.
- 110 (2.3%) more government jobs. Local government service providing jobs had 100 jobs more than last year.
Employment estimates for Island 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 | 18,710 | 18,780 | 18,570 | -70 | 140 | 0.8% |
| - Private | 13,780 | 13,860 | 13,750 | -80 | 30 | 0.2% |
| - Government | 4,930 | 4,920 | 4,820 | 10 | 110 | 2.3% |
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 | 2,030 | 1,970 | 1,920 | 60 | 110 | 5.7% |
| - Mining and logging | 50 | 10 | 30 | 40 | 20 | 66.7% |
| - Construction | 1,280 | 1,280 | 1,190 | 0 | 90 | 7.6% |
| - Manufacturing | 700 | 680 | 700 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
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 | 16,680 | 16,810 | 16,650 | -130 | 30 | 0.2% |
| - Wholesale trade | 220 | 240 | 220 | -20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 2,170 | 2,100 | 2,170 | 70 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 250 | 250 | 250 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 270 | 260 | 260 | 10 | 10 | 3.8% |
| - Financial activities | 690 | 690 | 700 | 0 | -10 | -1.4% |
| - Professional and business services | 1,750 | 1,850 | 1,770 | -100 | -20 | -1.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 2,880 | 2,850 | 2,890 | 30 | -10 | -0.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,540 | 2,630 | 2,590 | -90 | -50 | -1.9% |
| - Other services | 990 | 1,020 | 990 | -30 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 4,930 | 4,920 | 4,820 | 10 | 110 | 2.3% |
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 the latest Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) annual averages 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 18,271 total covered employees.
- Government - 4,725 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 2,269 jobs.
- Retail trade - 2,200 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 2,122 jobs.
- Construction - 1,260 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $58,930 for covered employees.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $124,267.
- Finance and insurance - $121,588.
- Information - $92,992.
- Wholesale trade - $77,199.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $74,788.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Island County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 73,388 | 56.0% | 4.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,171 | 50.5% | 15.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,574 | 91.4% | 12.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 5,709 | 80.8% | 2.2% |
| 30 to 34 years | 5,401 | 82.5% | 5.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 10,296 | 81.8% | 4.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 8,254 | 76.7% | 2.8% |
| 55 to 59 years | 4,810 | 73.9% | 1.6% |
| 60 to 64 years | 6,914 | 51.1% | 3.5% |
| 65 to 74 years | 13,898 | 19.7% | 1.7% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 58,439 | 53.1% | 4.6% |
| Black or African American alone | 1,779 | 78.3% | 1.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 741 | 67.7% | 4.8% |
| Asian alone | 3,822 | 63.6% | 4.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 363 | 83.2% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 1,754 | 75.0% | 4.5% |
| Two or more races | 6,490 | 63.8% | 2.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 5,319 | 73.9% | 4.3% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 57,100 | 52.5% | 4.6% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 46,958 | 76.7% | 4.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 24,224 | 84.0% | 4.3% |
| Female | 22,734 | 68.8% | 4.0% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 7,247 | 67.1% | 1.9% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 2,289 | 67.6% | 3.3% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 1,577 | 56.2% | 1.4% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 3,381 | 71.8% | 1.3% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,631 | 38.1% | 15.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 41,595 | 79.3% | 3.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 5,884 | 54.2% | 6.5% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 41,384 | 74.7% | 3.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,890 | 64.1% | 10.4% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 10,256 | 74.0% | 3.1% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 16,046 | 71.9% | 3.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13,192 | 80.1% | 2.0% |
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.