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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 3.9% to 4.6% (1,395 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 100 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 28,000 jobs).
Walla Walla County's labor market highlights
- Walla Walla County’s economy remains diverse and resilient, supported by agriculture, tourism, health care, education, manufacturing and retail trade.
- Its agricultural strength—especially wheat, onions, potatoes and wine grapes—continues to fuel a thriving wine industry with more than 185 wineries and a strong tourism rebound.
- In 2024, total covered employment reached 29,090 jobs, a modest increase from the previous year, while annual payroll rose to $1.62 billion.
- Government remained the county’s largest employer, followed by health care, manufacturing and agriculture, which together account for nearly 79% of all covered jobs.
- High‑wage opportunities continued to expand in finance, professional services and manufacturing, with finance and insurance leading all sectors at an average wage of $91,791.
- Workforce trends show strong participation among younger workers, especially those aged 25-29, and significantly higher engagement among individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Ongoing workforce development efforts continue to emphasize skill-building in agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality, while expanded support for small businesses, entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism is strengthening long‑term economic resilience.
Contact Walla Walla's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Walla Walla County is part of the Eastern Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Walla Walla County is known as the Walla Wall MSA.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 4.6% in Walla Walla County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Walla Walla County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 30,137 | 30,562 | 29,291 |
| Employed persons | 28,742 | 29,357 | 28,038 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,395 | 1,205 | 1,253 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 3.9% | 4.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Walla Walla County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
As of September 2025, the unemployment rate fell to 3.3%, reflecting stronger labor market conditions as employment rose sharply from the previous month. Month‑to‑month patterns show clear improvement, with the labor force expanding and unemployment dropping as more residents entered work. Year‑over‑year trends point to robust growth in both the labor force and employment, while the unemployment rate has remained nearly unchanged, suggesting steady expansion rather than seasonal fluctuation
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.7% |
5.0% |
4.0% |
3.0% |
2.9% |
2.8% |
3.6% |
4.3% |
3.4% |
3.8% |
3.9% |
5.2% |
|
5.2% |
5.6% |
4.7% |
3.7% |
3.9% |
3.7% |
4.5% |
4.5% |
3.5% |
3.5% |
3.8% |
4.3% |
|
5.0% |
5.6% |
4.1% |
3.4% |
3.4% |
3.1% |
4.0% |
4.0% |
3.3% |
4.0% |
4.6% |
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, Walla Walla County has 28,000 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025, there were 100 more jobs (28,100 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 100 fewer jobs in Goods‑producing industries were responsible for the entire nonfarm employment monthly loss, shedding 100 jobs in manufacturing - specifically a 100-job decline in nondurable goods production.
- 100 more jobs in Retail trade marked the sole significant monthly gain and suggesting a short-term boost in consumer-facing activity.
- 100 fewer jobs in Professional and business services, indicating softer demand for administrative and technical support.
- 100 fewer jobs in Private education and health services, marking a modest monthly decline.
In December 2024 there were 200 more jobs (28,200 in total).
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 200 (4.0%) more jobs in Goods‑producing industries, with gains split evenly between mining, logging, and construction (+100 jobs or 9.1%) and manufacturing (+100 jobs or 2.6%), where nondurable goods accounted for the entire increase.
- 100 (2.2%) more jobs in Health care and social assistance, continuing steady annual growth.
- 200 (5.4%) fewer jobs in Trade, transportation, and utilities show a broad pullback in consumer and distribution‑related activity, suggesting weaker demand in retail and freight-related services over the year.
- 100 (11.1%) fewer jobs in Financial activities represent the steepest percentage drop among all major sectors, indicating sustained contraction in banking, insurance, or real‑estate‑related services and pointing to reduced financial sector activity in the region.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Leisure and hospitality (-100 jobs or -4.0%) reflect softer demand in tourism, recreation, and food‑service establishments, consistent with a cooling in discretionary consumer spending. Government employment (-100 jobs or -1.6%) was driven entirely by a sharp reduction of 200 federal government jobs, partially offset by gains at the local level.
Employment estimates for Walla Walla Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
This MSA employment data shows combined data from Columbia and Walla Walla counties.
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 | 28,000 | 28,100 | 28,200 | -100 | -200 | -0.7% |
| - Private | 21,700 | 21,800 | 21,800 | -100 | -100 | -0.5% |
| - Government | 6,300 | 6,300 | 6,400 | 0 | -100 | -1.6% |
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 | 5,200 | 5,300 | 5,000 | -100 | 200 | 4.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,100 | 0 | 100 | 9.1% |
| - Manufacturing | 4,000 | 4,100 | 3,900 | -100 | 100 | 2.6% |
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 | 22,800 | 22,800 | 23,200 | 0 | -400 | -1.7% |
| - Wholesale trade | 700 | 700 | 700 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 2,400 | 2,300 | 2,400 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 600 | 600 | 600 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 200 | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 800 | 800 | 900 | 0 | -100 | -11.1% |
| - Professional and business services | 1,200 | 1,300 | 1,200 | -100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 7,600 | 7,700 | 7,700 | -100 | -100 | -1.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,400 | 2,400 | 2,500 | 0 | -100 | -4.0% |
| - Other services | 500 | 500 | 500 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 6,300 | 6,300 | 6,400 | 0 | -100 | -1.6% |
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 the latest Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) annual averages 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 29,090 total covered employees.
- Government - 6,242 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 4,468 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 3,884 jobs.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - 3,676 jobs.
- Retail trade - 2,381 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $55,812 for covered employees.
- Finance and insurance - $91,791.
- Professional, scientific and technical services - $81,112.
- Manufacturing - $67,989.
- Government - $66,443.
- Wholesale trade - $65,956.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Walla Walla County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 50,787 | 59.1% | 5.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 4,469 | 53.7% | 11.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,318 | 78.4% | 12.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,611 | 80.5% | 13.2% |
| 30 to 34 years | 3,838 | 79.4% | 3.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 7,464 | 75.2% | 2.6% |
| 45 to 54 years | 6,645 | 75.0% | 1.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,481 | 73.6% | 4.4% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,888 | 58.0% | 1.7% |
| 65 to 74 years | 6,837 | 27.5% | 3.6% |
| 75 years and over | 5,236 | 3.6% | 1.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 39,181 | 57.6% | 5.1% |
| Black or African American alone | 1,033 | 53.0% | 0.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 756 | 58.1% | 20.3% |
| Asian alone | 986 | 44.8% | 13.8% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 136 | 39.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 4,495 | 74.5% | 6.3% |
| Two or more races | 4,200 | 62.1% | 7.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 10,149 | 70.9% | 8.5% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 36,328 | 56.5% | 4.4% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 34,245 | 74.6% | 5.3% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 18,197 | 74.7% | 5.6% |
| Female | 16,048 | 74.4% | 5.0% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 5,566 | 76.8% | 2.3% |
| With own children under 6 only | 943 | 64.1% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 1,232 | 73.9% | 5.2% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 3,391 | 81.4% | 1.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,068 | 48.9% | 15.7% |
| At or above the poverty level | 28,386 | 83.0% | 4.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,899 | 46.8% | 11.9% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 28,927 | 73.9% | 4.0% |
| Less than high school graduate | 3,530 | 56.2% | 8.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 6,633 | 68.6% | 5.8% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 10,667 | 72.9% | 3.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8,097 | 87.1% | 2.4% |
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.