- Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased up to 4.0% from 3.7% in April. Total nonfarm employment dropped by 2,000 jobs compared to May 2024.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0% in May 2025, up from 3.7% in April 2025 and down 4.3% in May 2024. Kitsap County’s labor force had an estimated 118,691 workers in May 2025. Total nonfarm employment, at 94,900 jobs, was 500 jobs below last month and was 2,000 jobs below last year.
Location
Kitsap County is the northern end of the Kitsap Peninsula, jutting into the Puget Sound between the Olympic Peninsula to the west and King County to the east. It is between Hood Canal and Admiralty Strait. Water transportation is dominant in the culture and economy. The county seat is Port Orchard.
Kitsap County is one of the smallest counties in the state in terms of land area at about 395 square miles. It ranks third, however, in the state in terms of its population density, with 750 people per square mile.
Kitsap County is synonymous with the Bremerton-Silverdale Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Kitsap 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 May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0% in May 2025, up from 3.7% in April 2025 and down to 4.3% in May 2024.
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The labor force estimated was 118,691 workers, down 3,632 workers compared to May 2024 and down 581 over the month.
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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Total nonfarm employment was estimated at 94,900 in May 2025, lower by 2,000 jobs from May 2024 and 500 below last month.
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Goods producing industry employment was up 100 jobs over the month and down 300 jobs over the year.
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Service providing industry jobs were down by 600 jobs over the month and down 1,700 jobs over the year.
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Professional and business services jobs were unchanged over the month, however declined by 600 jobs over the year.
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Leisure and hospitality gained 300 jobs since April; however, the industry is 400 jobs below a year ago.
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Federal government jobs declined by 700 jobs over the month and were down 400 jobs below last year.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kitsap 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 | 94,900 | 95,400 | 96,900 | -500 | -2,000 | -2.1% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 60,200 | 60,000 | 61,700 | 200 | -1,500 | -2.4% |
| Goods-producing | 7,200 | 7,100 | 7,500 | 100 | -300 | -4.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 4,400 | 4,300 | 4,900 | 100 | -500 | -10.2% |
| - Manufacturing | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,600 | 0 | 200 | 7.7% |
| Service-providing | 87,700 | 88,300 | 89,400 | -600 | -1,700 | -1.9% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 13,000 | 13,300 | 13,400 | -300 | -400 | -3.0% |
| - - Retail trade | 10,600 | 10,700 | 10,800 | -100 | -200 | -1.9% |
| - Professional and business services | 9,100 | 9,100 | 9,700 | 0 | -600 | -6.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 9,500 | 9,200 | 9,900 | 300 | -400 | -4.0% |
| - Government | 34,700 | 35,400 | 35,200 | -700 | -500 | -1.4% |
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, Kitsap County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Kitsap County was 93,040 in 2023. Covered employment refers to state workers covered by state unemployment insurance (UI) laws and federal workers covered by federal unemployment compensation program.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
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Government (33,850)
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Health care and social assistance (12,227)
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Retail trade (10,803)
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Accommodation and food services (8,413)
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Professional, scientific and technical services (5,615)
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 Kitsap County for all industries was $67,613 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Information ($128,317)
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Utilities ($124,893)
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Management of companies and enterprises ($99,098)
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Professional, scientific and technical services ($97,273)
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Finance and insurance ($90,796)
Workforce demographics in Kitsap County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 227,461 | 61.9% | 4.8% |
| 16 to 19 years | 11,552 | 44.0% | 18.9% |
| 20 to 24 years | 19,485 | 89.5% | 8.2% |
| 25 to 29 years | 19,980 | 82.9% | 5.0% |
| 30 to 34 years | 20,072 | 81.0% | 4.6% |
| 35 to 44 years | 36,023 | 83.1% | 3.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 30,759 | 78.7% | 3.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 18,392 | 72.2% | 3.4% |
| 60 to 64 years | 18,333 | 54.6% | 3.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 32,537 | 20.7% | 5.9% |
| 75 years and over | 20,328 | 6.3% | 1.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| White alone | 178,473 | 60.4% | 4.6% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black or African American alone | 5,853 | 70.9% | 1.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 2,276 | 63.8% | 4.4% |
| Asian alone | 11,795 | 61.7% | 4.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 1,976 | 57.7% | 4.5% |
| Some other race alone | 5,523 | 74.2% | 5.0% |
| Two or more races | 21,565 | 69.1% | 7.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 17,894 | 71.6% | 5.7% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 172,926 | 59.8% | 4.6% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 163,044 | 78.3% | 4.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 86,143 | 86.2% | 4.2% |
| Female | 76,901 | 69.5% | 4.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 26,645 | 65.8% | 3.4% |
| With own children under 6 only | 7,524 | 59.8% | 3.6% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 4,940 | 56.8% | 5.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 14,181 | 72.2% | 2.8% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 13,119 | 42.1% | 19.1% |
| At or above the poverty level | 145,050 | 81.2% | 3.5% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 18,965 | 50.3% | 10.6% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 143,559 | 76.8% | 3.8% |
| Less than high school graduate | 6,862 | 56.5% | 8.4% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 31,765 | 71.0% | 6.5% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 54,335 | 76.9% | 3.0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 50,597 | 83.0% | 2.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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