- Posted February 2025
Summary
Nonfarm employment totaled 57,20 in San Juan County in December 2024 — up 50 from the November 2024 total of 5,670 and up 140 from December 2023.
From November 2024 to December 2024, leisure and hospitality was up 30 jobs. Professional and business services was up 10. Education and health services was up 10. Government was down 20.
From December 2023 to December 2024, the largest increases occurred in leisure and hospitality which was up 100 jobs. Professional and business services was up 40. Construction was up 20. Trade transportation and utilities was down 30. Manufacturing employment was down 10.
The preliminary unemployment rate in San Juan County was 4.3% in December 2024 — a slight increase from the November rate of 4.2%. The unemployment rate was 4.1% in December 2023.
Location
San Juan County is located in northwest Washington state. It consists of four large islands: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw; and hundreds of small islands, reefs and rocks. About 20 islands are inhabited. San Juan County is the smallest county in Washington by total landmass.
San Juan County is located in the Salish Sea to the west of Skagit and Whatcom counties and east of lower Vancouver Island, Canada. The islands are spectacularly scenic and a popular destination for tourists and retirees. People arrive via ferry, private boat and float plane throughout the year with a pronounced uptick in the summer. Tourism-related industries and retirement communities form the base of the San Juan County economy. While the natural beauty and relative isolation of island life supports a vibrant seasonal tourism-based economy, the relative isolation presents a challenge for economic diversification.
San Juan County is part of the Northwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
-
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in December 2024, up from 4.2% in November 2024 and up from 4.1% in December 2023.
-
The labor force contracted over the year, losing an estimated 340 participants.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment in San Juan County
-
Total nonfarm employment increased by 50 from November 2024 to December 2024.
-
Most sectors saw slight one-month increases in employment. The largest increase was observed in leisure and hospitality. Government employment fell in December.
-
Total nonfarm employment increased by 140 jobs from December 2023 to December 2024.
-
Overall, the largest annual job loss was in trade, which lost 30 jobs from December 2023 to December 2024.
-
The largest one-year gains were attributable to hiring in leisure and hospitality and professional and business services.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, San Juan County
| NAICS Industry Title | Dec 2024 (Preliminary) | Nov 2024 (Revised) | Dec 2023 (Revised) | Nov 2024 to Dec 2024 change | Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 change | Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Nonfarm | 5,720 | 5,670 | 5,580 | 50 | 140 | 2.5% |
| Total Private | 4,690 | 4,620 | 4,560 | 70 | 130 | 2.9% |
| Goods Producing | 980 | 970 | 970 | 10 | 10 | 1.0% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 780 | 770 | 760 | 10 | 20 | 2.6% |
| ---Manufacturing | 200 | 200 | 210 | 0 | -10 | -4.8% |
| Service Providing | 4,740 | 4,700 | 4,610 | 40 | 130 | 2.8% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 970 | 960 | 1,000 | 10 | -30 | -3.0% |
| ---Information and Financial Activities | 380 | 370 | 390 | 10 | -10 | -2.6% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 700 | 690 | 660 | 10 | 40 | 6.1% |
| ---Education and Health Services | 400 | 390 | 390 | 10 | 10 | 2.6% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 1040 | 1010 | 940 | 30 | 100 | 10.6% |
| ---Government | 1,030 | 1,050 | 1,020 | -20 | 10 | 1.0% |
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, Jefferson County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.
Average annual covered employment in San Juan County was 6,126 in 2023. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
-
Accommodation and food services (1,022)
-
Government (1,021)
-
Construction (776)
-
Retail trade (758)
-
Professional, scientific and technical services (363)
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 San Juan County was $51,918 in 2023.
The top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
-
Management of companies and enterprises ($182,830)
-
Utilities ($121,167)
-
Information ($98,439)
-
Professional, scientific and technical services ($96,918)
-
Wholesale trade ($77,006)
Workforce demographics in San Juan County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 16,243 | 53.4% | 3.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 557 | 38.1% | 3.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 589 | 84.6% | 3.2% |
| 25 to 29 years | 730 | 91.2% | 4.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 829 | 88.2% | 0.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,936 | 77.4% | 5.2% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,080 | 85.5% | 4.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,345 | 72.5% | 1.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,775 | 55.2% | 2.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,953 | 27.7% | 1.0% |
| 75 years and over | 2,449 | 9.8% | 2.1% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 14,590 | 51.9% | 3.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 31 | 77.4% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 83 | 59.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 195 | 37.4% | 4.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 45 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 428 | 75.5% | 0.9% |
| Two or more races | 871 | 66.6% | 2.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,002 | 74.9% | 5.9% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 14,284 | 51.4% | 2.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 9,284 | 76.7% | 3.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4,530 | 82.3% | 4.0% |
| Female | 4,754 | 71.5% | 2.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 1,310 | 70.5% | 1.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 337 | 72.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 182 | 72.5% | 9.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 791 | 69.0% | 0.5% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,082 | 48.3% | 12.0% |
| At or above the poverty level | 8,182 | 80.6% | 2.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 792 | 59.7% | 11.0% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 8,695 | 76.2% | 3.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 538 | 79.9% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 1,720 | 76.0% | 4.5% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,286 | 75.1% | 7.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,151 | 76.4% | 1.3% |
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.