Posted February 2025
Summary
Thurston County is home to Washington’s state capitol of Olympia, and as such, its major employer has historically been state government. While this lessened somewhat during the pandemic, many state agencies are still headquartered in Thurston County. In 2023 government employment was 42,128. Of those, 28,397 were at the state level, about 22% of all employment in the county.
Other major sectors in Thurston County include health care and social assistance, retail trade, accommodation and food services, and professional, scientific, and technical services.
Location
Thurston County is in the South Puget Sound region of Washington. Its largest city is the state capitol of Olympia, and it comprises the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Neighboring counties are Mason County to the north, Pierce to the east, Lewis to the south and Grays Harbor to the west.
Thurston County is part of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 workforce regions.
Employment situation for December 2024
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6% in December 2024, up from 4.5% in November 2024 but down from 4.8% in December 2023.
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The total civilian labor force was 146,764, down from 152,157 in December 2023.
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The number of unemployed persons was 6,792, down from 7,252 in December 2023.
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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Total nonfarm employment was 132,800 in December 2024, up by 500 jobs from the previous month and 1,800 jobs (1.4%) from December 2023.
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The largest year-over-year increase was in state government, which added 1,300 jobs (4.4%) between December 2023 and December 2024. Local government added another 300 jobs (2.3%), and Federal government employment was unchanged.
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The trade, transportation, warehousing, and utilities sector added a net 600 jobs (3.0%) over the year, despite losses to retail trade (down 200 jobs, -1.6%).
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Mining, logging, and construction added 100 jobs (1.5%).
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Employment was unchanged over the year in manufacturing, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Thurston 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 | 132,800 | 132,300 | 131,000 | 500 | 1,800 | 1.4% |
| Total Private | 87,700 | 87,100 | 87,500 | 600 | 200 | 0.2% |
| Goods Producing | 10,100 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 100 | 100 | 1.0% |
| ---Mining, Logging, and Construction | 6,900 | 6,800 | 6,800 | 100 | 100 | 1.5% |
| ---Manufacturing | 3,200 | 3,200 | 3,200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service Providing | 122,700 | 122,300 | 121,000 | 400 | 1,700 | 1.4% |
| ---Private Service Providing | 77,600 | 77,100 | 77,500 | 500 | 100 | 0.1% |
| ---Trade, Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 20,700 | 20,600 | 20,100 | 100 | 600 | 3.0% |
| -------Retail Trade | 12,500 | 12,400 | 12,700 | 100 | -200 | -1.6% |
| ---Professional and Business Services | 15,000 | 14,900 | 15,000 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Leisure and Hospitality | 11200 | 11100 | 11200 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Government | 45,100 | 45,200 | 43,500 | -100 | 1,600 | 3.7% |
| -------Federal Government | 900 | 900 | 900 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------State Government | 30,900 | 30,900 | 29,600 | 0 | 1,300 | 4.4% |
| -----------State Government Educational Services | 2,500 | 2,600 | 2,400 | -100 | 100 | 4.2% |
| -------Local Government | 13,300 | 13,400 | 13,000 | -100 | 300 | 2.3% |
| -----------Local Government Educational Services | 7,200 | 7,300 | 7,100 | -100 | 100 | 1.4% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2024, updated Jan. 16, 2025. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Thurston County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Thurston County was 126,882 and the average annual wage was $68,201 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.
Thurston County contains the state capital of Olympia, and Government is by far the largest industry. Government employment was 42,128 in 2023, nearly three times larger than the second most populous industry (health care and social assistance, at 16,109). The average annual wage in government was $80,590. Approximately two thirds of all government employment is with the state (28,397 jobs), making state employment about 22% of all jobs.
Top five sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (42,128)
- Health care and social assistance (16,109)
- Retail trade (12,464)
- Accommodation and food services (9,410)
- Professional, scientific and technical services (7,003)
The top five sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Information ($115,124)
- Management of companies and enterprises ($98,599)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($95,419)
- Finance and insurance ($95,111)
- Wholesale trade ($91,453)
Workforce demographics for Thurston County
Thurston County’s 16 and over population is 241,254 and 61.9% of that population is in the labor force. Unemployment and labor force participation rates vary across demographic groups. Among the working age population, men and women are unemployed at the same rate (4.9%), though more men are in the labor force (82.8% vs. 73.8%). About 37% of the population aged 25 to 64 holds a bachelor’s degree.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Thurston County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 241,254 | 61.9% | 5.2% |
| 16 to 19 years | 13,149 | 39.1% | 19.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 16,675 | 81.5% | 9.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 20,644 | 84.6% | 4.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 21,806 | 77.7% | 6.0% |
| 35 to 44 years | 42,470 | 80.7% | 4.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 35,420 | 81.9% | 3.2% |
| 55 to 59 years | 17,120 | 75.3% | 6.6% |
| 60 to 64 years | 19,646 | 60.7% | 2.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 33,583 | 21.9% | 2.1% |
| 75 years and over | 20,741 | 4.3% | 4.4% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 184,683 | 60.3% | 5.0% |
| Black or African American alone | 7,816 | 67.7% | 6.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 2,635 | 63.6% | 8.9% |
| Asian alone | 14,826 | 63.6% | 4.6% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 2,356 | 76.1% | 18.6% |
| Some other race alone | 5,760 | 68.5% | 3.6% |
| Two or more races | 23,178 | 68.8% | 5.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 21,049 | 72.0% | 5.2% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 177,698 | 59.8% | 4.9% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 173,781 | 78.3% | 4.9% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 86,277 | 82.8% | 4.9% |
| Female | 87,504 | 73.8% | 4.9% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 30,146 | 71.8% | 3.2% |
| With own children under 6 only | 6,911 | 66.5% | 2.9% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 5,552 | 61.5% | 3.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 17,683 | 77.1% | 3.2% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 16,463 | 43.6% | 21.4% |
| At or above the poverty level | 156,054 | 82.4% | 3.9% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 22,370 | 51.6% | 8.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 157,106 | 78.0% | 4.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 8,447 | 63.1% | 7.7% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 34,475 | 69.6% | 6.3% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 55,747 | 77.0% | 4.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 58,437 | 85.9% | 3.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status.
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