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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 5.1% to 5.8% (554 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 40 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 6,260 jobs).
Klickitat County's labor market highlights
- Distinct three‑region economy, with drone manufacturing and wood products in the west, agriculture and landfill operations in the east, and tourism and services centered around Goldendale in the middle.
- Growing wine industry, with countywide expansion of vineyards and wineries continues to strengthen Klickitat’s role in Washington’s wine economy.
- Softening labor market over the years because the labor force has declined year‑over‑year, nonfarm employment dipped slightly in 2025.
- Government, agriculture and manufacturing anchor employment and these three sectors make up over half of all covered jobs, with government alone accounting for nearly a quarter of the workforce.
- High‑wage opportunities concentrated in specialized sectors like professional and technical services, utilities and information offer the highest wages, while participation is strongest among young adults and workers with higher education.
Contact Klickitat County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Klickitat County is part of the South Central Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 5.8% in Klickitat County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Klickitat County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 9,526 | 9,568 | 9,116 |
| Employed persons | 8,972 | 9,083 | 8,622 |
| Persons seeking work | 554 | 485 | 494 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Klickitat County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
As of September 2025, Klickitat County’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, reflecting a modest month‑to‑month improvement as more residents found work and unemployment declined. The slight increase in employment suggests short‑term strengthening in the local labor market, even as overall labor force growth remains subdued. Compared to last year, however, the county shows a mild cooling trend. Both the labor force and total employment are down from September 2024, while unemployment has edged higher. This combination points to a labor market that is improving in the near term but still running below last year’s pace, shaped by the county’s seasonal industries and shifting workforce dynamics.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|
6.5% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 4.1% | 3.5% | 3.0% | 4.1% | 5.0% | 4.0% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 6.1% |
|
6.5% | 7.1% | 6.0% | 4.7% | 4.9% | 4.1% | 5.1% | 4.9% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 5.4% |
|
6.0% | 6.8% | 5.0% | 4.3% | 4.6% | 3.5% | 4.6% | 4.8% | 4.1% | 5.1% | 5.8% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include persons working outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In December 2025, Klickitat County had 6,260 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025 there were 40 more jobs (6,300 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 10 more jobs in Manufacturing, supported by a 10‑job increase in nondurable goods production
- 10 more jobs in Trade, transportation, and utilities, reflecting stronger transportation‑related activity
- 10 more jobs in Financial activities, marking a modest monthly increase
- 20 more jobs in Professional and business services, the strongest monthly gain among private industries
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Leisure and hospitality (-40 jobs), Information (-10 jobs), and Government employment (-40 jobs, including -30 in local government and -30 in local government education).
In December 2024, there were 60 fewer jobs (6,200 in total).
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 50 (3.6%) more jobs in Goods‑producing industries, driven by 50 more jobs in manufacturing (4.6%) and 10 more jobs in construction (3.7%)
- 10 (1.6%) more jobs in Professional and business services, signaling continued demand for specialized services
- 10 (2.2%) more jobs in Private education and health services, driven by health‑related employment needs
- 20 (1.1%) more jobs in Government employment, supported by gains in federal and state government
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Leisure and hospitality (-40 jobs), Information (-10 jobs), and Government employment (-40 jobs, including -30 in local government and -30 in local government education).
Employment estimates for Klickitat County
See a snapshot of this month's data below. A detailed spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted is on the source page of our site.
Total jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 6,260 | 6,300 | 6,200 | -40 | 60 | 1.0% |
| - Private | 4,400 | 4,400 | 4,360 | 0 | 40 | 0.9% |
| - Government | 1,860 | 1,900 | 1,840 | -40 | 20 | 1.1% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 1,450 | 1,440 | 1,400 | 10 | 50 | 3.6% |
| - Mining and logging | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 280 | 280 | 270 | 0 | 10 | 3.7% |
| - Manufacturing | 1,130 | 1,120 | 1,080 | 10 | 50 | 4.6% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 4,810 | 4,850 | 4,800 | -40 | 10 | 0.2% |
| - Wholesale trade | 110 | 110 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 440 | 440 | 440 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 230 | 230 | 230 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 50 | 60 | 50 | -10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 150 | 140 | 150 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 650 | 630 | 640 | 20 | 10 | 1.6% |
| - Private education and health services | 470 | 470 | 460 | 0 | 10 | 2.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 460 | 500 | 490 | -40 | -30 | -6.1% |
| - Other services | 390 | 390 | 380 | 0 | 10 | 2.6% |
| - Government | 1,860 | 1,900 | 1,840 | -40 | 20 | 1.1% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2025, updated January 16, 2026. The current month’s data is preliminary. Analysts continue to refine past months as more related information becomes available. Industry columns use North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry titles. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Employment details for industries and sectors
This profile section uses Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data.
This quarterly census data includes both agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals with employees covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment refers to the total number of employees with this type of coverage.
Top sectors by employment
2024’s annual average was 7,194 total covered employees.
- Government - 1,776 jobs.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - 1,231 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 1,058 jobs.
- Retail trade - 444 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 393 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $64,978 for covered employees.
- Professional, scientific and technical services - $170,579.
- Utilities - $146,304.
- Information - $117,885.
- Manufacturing - $82,640.
- Other services, except public administration - $76,974.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics in Klickitat County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 19,418 | 54.3% | 1.6% |
| 16 to 19 years | 797 | 23.8% | 1.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 1,198 | 82.1% | 9.4% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,176 | 79.9% | 12.3% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,307 | 67.7% | 4.3% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2,878 | 75.4% | 3.2% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,791 | 78.6% | 2.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,594 | 77.4% | 11.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,929 | 46.7% | 0.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,679 | 22.2% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 2,069 | 10.6% | 37.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 16,674 | 52.0% | 4.8% |
| Black or African American alone | 117 | 79.5% | 20.4% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 224 | 38.4% | 55.8% |
| Asian alone | 191 | 34.6% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 82 | 35.4% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 764 | 87.7% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 1,366 | 67.7% | 2.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 2,184 | 78.4% | 7.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 15,755 | 50.8% | 3.9% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 12,873 | 72.3% | 5.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 6,603 | 77.9% | 5.1% |
| Female | 6,270 | 66.4% | 5.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 1,840 | 60.3% | 8.5% |
| With own children under 6 only | 499 | 56.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 324 | 62.7% | 28.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 1,017 | 61.3% | 5.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,945 | 42.7% | 34.1% |
| At or above the poverty level | 10,904 | 77.8% | 2.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 1,827 | 49.1% | 8.6% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 11,675 | 71.3% | 5.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,293 | 72.2% | 7.9% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 3,091 | 69.4% | 12.8% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 3,426 | 68.4% | 5.0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3,865 | 75.1% | 1.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
Funding
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.