Jefferson County profile

- Posted April 2025

March 2025 Highlights

In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 6.1% to 5.3% over the year and total nonfarm employment increased by 280 jobs over the year.

Summary

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3% in March 2025, down from 6.1% in March 2024 and down from 6.7% in February 2025. The Jefferson County labor force has 11,720 workers. Total nonfarm employment at 9,280 jobs increased by 220 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and increased 10 jobs from February 2025.

Geography

Jefferson County is located on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington state. It is nestled between the Admiralty Inlet and Clallam, Mason, Grays Harbor and Kitsap counties. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the west and Hood Canal to the east. Named for President Thomas Jefferson, it was created in 1852 from a portion of Lewis County. The county seat is Port Townsend.

Much of Jefferson County is publicly managed. About 60% of the county comprises the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest and roughly 20% percent is under state and federal jurisdiction. The Hoh Reservation and a small corner of the Quinault Reservation are also located in Jefferson County. Jefferson County is a mid-sized county, ranking 18th in the state in land area. Its population density, as measured by people per square mile, ranks 29th.

Jefferson 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 March 2025

Labor force and unemployment

• The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3% in March 2025, down from 6.1% in March 2024 and down from 6.7% in February 2025.

• The labor force at 11,720 workers decreased by 431 workers over the year.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics

Payroll employment

• Total nonfarm employment at 9,280 jobs increased by 220 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and increased 10 jobs from Feb. 2025.
• Construction employment at 710 jobs increased by 20 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and was unchanged over the month.
• Nondurable goods manufacturing employment at 450 jobs decreased by 10 from March 2024 to March 2025 and decreased by 50 jobs over the month.
• Retail trade employment at 1,060 jobs increased by 20 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and decreased by 50 jobs over the month.
• Leisure and hospitality employment at 1,210 jobs increased by 100 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and was unchanged over the month.
• Government employment at 2,690 jobs increased by 130 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and increased by 10 jobs over the month.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Jefferson County

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, Jefferson County 2023 annual average

Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)

Average annual covered employment in Jefferson County was 8,968 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 Jefferson County was $54,891 in 2023.

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

• Government (2,492)

• Accommodation and food service (1,091)

• Retail Trade (1,077)

• Health care and social services (772)

• Construction (710)

Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:

• Mining and Utilities* ($109,645)

• Professional, scientific, and technical services ($98,924)

• Government ($75,373)

• Manufacturing ($73,563)

• Finance and insurance ($62,567)

Workforce demographics in Jefferson County

Age

Race or Hispanic origin

Sex

Females with children

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Disability status

Educational attainment

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.