May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3%, which is the same as May last year, and total nonfarm employment decreased by 430 jobs (2.4%) over the year.
Summary
Kittitas County’s economy is diverse, with key contributions from government, education, retail trade, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. The county is known for its agricultural heritage, though government employment remains the largest sector, with an annual average of 4,557 jobs.
Total covered employment in Kittitas County was approximately 16,780 jobs in 2023. The annual average unemployment rate was around 5.1% in 2023, with a slight decline to 4.0% in early 2025. Retail trade and leisure and hospitality have shown growth, while government employment has seen some declines.
Workforce development initiatives focus on skill enhancement, particularly in education and retail, ensuring a competitive local workforce. Efforts to diversify the economy include supporting small businesses and promoting tourism, leveraging the county’s scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. 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 May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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Kittitas County total labor force, employment and unemployment decreased from May 2024 to May 2025.
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Kittitas County has over 21,422 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 1,426 workers (6.2%) from May 2024, while employed workforce decreased by 1,368 workers (6.3%) and unemployed workers decreased by 58 workers (5.9%). About 931 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 4.3% in May 2025, which increased from 3.3% in April 2025 and is the same as in May 2024.
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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Overall job trends show that Kittitas County had total nonfarm employment of 17,510 jobs, reflecting a 430 jobs (2.4%) decrease compared to May 2024. The private sector contracted by 270 jobs (2.4%), while government employment decreased by 160 jobs (2.4%) year-over-year.
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Industries with growth include trade, transportation, and utilities, which added 20 jobs (0.7%). Manufacturing grew by 20 jobs (3.3%). Arts, entertainment, and recreation increased by 20 jobs (7.1%).
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Industries facing declines include leisure and hospitality, which saw the largest drop, losing 220 jobs (7.5%), with accommodation and food services down 240 jobs (9.1%). Private education and health services declined by 40 jobs (2.3%). Financial activities dropped by 20 jobs (5.7%), professional and business services decreased by 10 jobs (1.2%).
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Government employment trends reflect continued shifts, with federal positions increasing by 20 jobs (11.1%), while local government gained 70 positions (2.4%). State government saw the largest decline, shedding 250 jobs (6.9%).
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kittitas 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 | 17,510 | 17,890 | 17,940 | -380 | -430 | -2.4% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 10,970 | 11,250 | 11,240 | -280 | -270 | -2.4% |
| Goods-producing | 2,060 | 2,010 | 2,060 | 50 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Mining and logging | 20 | 20 | 30 | 0 | -10 | -33.3% |
| - Construction | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,420 | 0 | -20 | -1.4% |
| - Manufacturing | 630 | 600 | 610 | 30 | 20 | 3.3% |
| Service-providing | 15,460 | 15,880 | 15,880 | -420 | -420 | -2.6% |
| - Wholesale trade | 560 | 560 | 570 | 0 | -10 | -1.8% |
| - Retail trade | 1,840 | 1,850 | 1,850 | -10 | -10 | -0.5% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 330 | 330 | 300 | 0 | 30 | 10.0% |
| - Information | 170 | 160 | 170 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 330 | 320 | 350 | 10 | -20 | -5.7% |
| - Professional and business services | 830 | 810 | 840 | 20 | -10 | -1.2% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,700 | 1,700 | 1,740 | 0 | -40 | -2.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,710 | 3,050 | 2,930 | -340 | -220 | -7.5% |
| - Other services | 440 | 460 | 440 | -20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 6,540 | 6,640 | 6,700 | -100 | -160 | -2.4% |
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, 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
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 37,765 | 61.4% | 5.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,452 | 50.6% | 23.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,037 | 73.2% | 8.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,041 | 88.0% | 5.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,610 | 85.1% | 1.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 4,899 | 78.3% | 2.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 5,039 | 81.3% | 0.7% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,510 | 74.1% | 3.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,486 | 48.5% | 3.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 4,768 | 26.4% | 2.4% |
| 75 years and over | 2,923 | 3.6% | 9.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 31,768 | 60.1% | 4.6% |
| Black or African American alone | 472 | 68.0% | 9.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 185 | 55.1% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 656 | 56.3% | 1.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 48 | 56.3% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 1,946 | 72.9% | 3.8% |
| Two or more races | 2,690 | 68.4% | 12.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 3,398 | 72.0% | 5.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 30,812 | 60.2% | 4.5% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 26,622 | 75.4% | 3.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 13,518 | 79.3% | 4.4% |
| Female | 13,104 | 71.3% | 2.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 3,954 | 68.8% | 0.7% |
| With own children under 6 only | 784 | 73.0% | 3.1% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 489 | 58.9% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,681 | 69.4% | 0.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,953 | 44.5% | 11.8% |
| At or above the poverty level | 22,078 | 81.8% | 2.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,047 | 46.6% | 10.8% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 21,585 | 75.9% | 2.6% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,654 | 57.4% | 5.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 5,804 | 74.0% | 2.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,167 | 70.6% | 2.0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7,960 | 85.2% | 2.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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