Kittitas County profile

Posted February 2025

Summary

In Kittitas County, total average annual covered employment during 2023 was 16,780 jobs. The county has 24,959 workers in the labor force. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1% with 18,110 jobs during December 2024. The government makes up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 4,557 out of 16,780 total annual average employment. The county has 1,379 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Kittitas County’s 16 and older population was 37,765 in 2023.

Geography

 

Kittitas County is in the center of the state, 107 miles east of Seattle. It is nestled between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Columbia River to the east. With 2,297.3 square miles, it is the eighth largest county in Washington by land area.

Employment situation for December 2024

Labor force and unemployment

• From December 2023 to December 2024, the Kittitas County labor force increased by 2,908 to 24,959 workers.

• The December 2024 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Kittitas County was 5.1%, down 1.4% from 6.5% during December 2023.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

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

Payroll employment

Total nonfarm employment during December 2024 was 18,110, an increase of 80 jobs from December 2023 and an increase of 30 jobs from November 2024.

• Wholesale trade decreased by 10 jobs from December 2023 and was unchanged from November 2024.
• Information and financial activities increased 20 jobs from December 2023 and was unchanged from November 2024.
• Leisure and hospitality decreased 80 jobs from December 2023 and increased 180 jobs from November 2024.
• Retail trade Increased 10 jobs from December 2023 and increased 20 jobs from November 2024.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kittitas County

Note: Data benchmarked through June 2024, updated Jan. 16, 2025. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)

Industry employment (covered employment)

Employment by industry, Kittitas County 2023 annual average

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

Covered employment, or Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data, include agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals whose employees are covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment generally exceeds 85% of total employment in the state of Washington. Average annual covered employment in 2023 in Kittitas County was 16,780. The average annual wage was $51,268 which was 58.9% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

• Government (4,557 jobs)
• Accommodation and food services (2,498 jobs)
• Retail trade (1,871 jobs)
• Construction (1,355 jobs)
• State government (1,777 jobs)
• Health care and social assistance (1,346)

Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2023:

• Government ($315.3 million)
• Construction ($90.5 million)
• Accommodation and food services ($74.3 million)
• Retail trade ($65.8 million)
• Health care and social assistance ($60.3 million)

Workforce demographics in Kittitas County

Kittitas County’s 16 and older population was 37,765 in 2023. The labor force participation rate in Kittitas County was 61.4% with an average unemployment rate of 5.1%.

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Kittitas 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.