September 2025 highlights
Compared to August 2025, the unemployment rate decreased to 3.9% (838 unemployed individuals).
Employers reported 250 less jobs on payrolls (for a total of 16,760) in Kittitas County.
Summary
Kittitas County’s economy remains diverse, with key contributions from government, education, retail trade, leisure and hospitality and manufacturing. While the county is known for its agricultural heritage, government employment continues to be the largest sector, averaging 4,557 jobs annually.
Retail trade and leisure and hospitality sectors have shown consistent growth. Workforce development initiatives continue to emphasize skill enhancement in education, retail and construction, ensuring a competitive local workforce. Economic diversification efforts include support for small businesses and promotion of tourism, leveraging the county’s scenic beauty and outdoor recreation assets.
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 September 2025
Labor force and unemployment
- Labor force (21,552 in total) grew by 120 from August to September 2025, with 244 more people employed.
- Unemployment fell by 124 people, lowering the unemployment rate from 4.5% to 3.9%.
- Compared to September 2024, the labor force is down 3.1% and employment is down 3.3%, indicating a modest decline.
- Unemployment is slightly higher than last year (+19 people), nudging the unemployment rate from 3.7% to 3.9%.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
Nonfarm employment, not seasonally adjusted:
In September 2025, this area has 16,760 total nonfarm jobs.
One month earlier, in August 2025, there were 250 more (17,010 in total).
Compared to August 2025, in September there are:
- 250 fewer service‑providing jobs, accounting for the entire decline.
- Ten fewer jobs each in professional and business services and mining/logging.
- Fifty fewer jobs in leisure and hospitality, reflecting seasonal cooling.
One year ago, in September 2024, there were 900 more jobs (17,660 in total).
Compared to September 2024, in September 2025 there are:
- 1,220 fewer (‑19.2%) government jobs, the largest drop across all industries.
- 110 more (6.0%) retail jobs, the strongest gain.
- Seventy more (8.4%) jobs in professional and business services, showing robust growth.
- Sixty more (3.6%) jobs in private education and health services, continuing steady expansion.
- Fifty more (3.4%) construction jobs, offset by 20 fewer manufacturing jobs.
- Overall employment is down 5.1% from last year.
- No change in goods‑producing industries (construction, manufacturing), wholesale trade, transportation, warehousing, and utilities, information, financial activities or other services.
- Government employment fell by 180, the largest single‑industry de cline.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kittitas County
| NAICS Industry Title | Sep 2025 (Prelim) | Aug 2025 (Revised) | Sep 2024 (Revised) | Aug 2025 to Sep 2025 Change | Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 Change | Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 16,760 | 17,010 | 17,660 | -250 | -900 | -5.1% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 11,640 | 11,700 | 11,320 | -60 | 320 | 2.8% |
| Goods-producing | 2,140 | 2,140 | 2,140 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Mining and logging | 10 | 20 | 30 | -10 | -20 | -66.7% |
| - Construction | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,450 | 0 | 50 | 3.4% |
| - Manufacturing | 630 | 630 | 650 | 0 | -20 | -3.1% |
| Service-providing | 14,610 | 14,860 | 15,530 | -250 | -920 | -5.9% |
| - Wholesale trade | 520 | 520 | 520 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 1,930 | 1,920 | 1,820 | 10 | 110 | 6.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 290 | 290 | 300 | 0 | -10 | -3.3% |
| - Information | 160 | 160 | 160 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 380 | 380 | 370 | 0 | 10 | 2.7% |
| - Professional and business services | 900 | 910 | 830 | -10 | 70 | 8.4% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,740 | 1,760 | 1,680 | -20 | 60 | 3.6% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 3,130 | 3,180 | 3,080 | -50 | 50 | 1.6% |
| - Other services | 440 | 440 | 430 | 0 | 10 | 2.3% |
| - Government | 5,120 | 5,300 | 6,340 | -180 | -1,220 | -19.2% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2025, updated December 8, 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 2024 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. The average annual covered employment during 2024 in Kittitas County was 16,775. The average annual wage was $54,172 which with total payroll of $908.74 million.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2024:
-
Government (4,656 jobs or 27.8% employment share)
-
Accommodation and food services (2,541 jobs or 15.1% employment share)
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Retail trade (1,831 jobs or 10.9% employment share)
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Health care and social assistance (1,414 jobs or 8.4% employment share)
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Construction (1,378 jobs or 8.2% employment share)
-
Agriculture (1,063 jobs or 6.3% employment share)
Top sectors in terms of average annual wages paid in 2024:
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Finance and insurance ($75,298)
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Construction ($73,235)
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Government ($72,167)
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Wholesale trade ($71,658)
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Information ($71,326)
-
Professional, scientific and technical ($66,416)
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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