Yakima County profile

April 2025 Highlights

In April, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.7% to 5.4% over the year and total nonfarm employment decreased by 700 jobs or 1.0% over the year.

Summary

Yakima County’s economy is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, food processing, health care, education, manufacturing, and retail trade. The county is renowned for its agricultural industry, particularly its production of apples, hops, dairy products, and wine grapes. Agriculture fuels food processing and distribution, making it a core component of the local economy.

Total covered employment in Yakima County is approximately 88,900 jobs. The annual average unemployment rate was around 5.3% in 2023, reflecting seasonal employment shifts tied to agriculture. Health care and educational services are major employment sectors, providing stability to the workforce. Manufacturing and retail trade also play key roles, contributing to economic resilience through product innovation and consumer-driven markets.

Workforce development initiatives focus on skill enhancement, particularly in agriculture, food processing, and trade-related industries, ensuring a competitive local workforce. Efforts to diversify the economy include supporting agribusiness growth, promoting tourism in the region’s wineries and outdoor recreation areas, and assisting small businesses through entrepreneurial programs.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing is the largest industry sector demanding workers in Yakima County at 28,695 average annual employment out of 116,064 total annual average employment in 2023. Yakima county has 2,523 farm operations which utilize 1.8 million acres of land. The farms generate $2.3 billion in sales annually.

Government sector jobs increased 700 jobs from a year ago and was unchanged over the month. The county has 5,883 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. The population of people ages 16 and older is 189,087.

Geography

Yakima is the second largest county in Washington state at 2.75 million acres. Three entities own or manage 63.4% of the land:

• The Yakama Nation (1,074,174 acres)
• The U.S. Forest Service (503,726 acres)
• The U.S. Army Yakima Training Center (165,787 acres)

Employment situation for April 2025

Labor force and unemployment

• As of April 2025, Yakima County’s employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and unemployment.

• Yakima County has over 119,939 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 3,711 workers (3.0%) from April 2024, while employed workforce decreased by 3,139 workers (2.7%) and unemployed workers decreased by 572 (8.1%). About 6,450 people were unemployed and looking for work.

• The unemployment rate in the county was 5.4% in April 2025, which decreased from 6.3% in March 2025 and 5.7% in April 2024.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics  

Payroll employment

• Overall job trends show that Yakima County experienced a slight employment decline, losing 1,000 jobs, a 1.1% decrease compared to April 2024, with a total employment of 88,900. The private sector decreased by 700 jobs (1.0%), while government employment shed 300 jobs (1.6%) year-over-year.

• Industries with growth include trade, transportation, and utilities which added 100 jobs (0.5%), with retail trade showing the largest gain of 300 jobs (2.7%).

• Industries with declines include private education and health services, which lost 700 jobs (3.5%), mostly due to a 3.2% decrease in health care and social assistance. Manufacturing posted a moderate decline, decreasing by 400 jobs (5.0%), with nondurable goods decreasing the most, down 200 positions (3.9%). Leisure and hospitality also declined, shedding 200 jobs (2.4%). Professional and business services remained unchanged over the year.

• Government employment trends reflect continued declines, decreasing by 300 positions (1.6%) over the year. Local government positions lost 300 jobs (2.0%), while state and federal employment remained stable.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Yakima County

Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated May 16, 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, Yakima County 2023 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. Covered employment generally exceeds 85% of total employment in the state of Washington. Average annual covered employment in 2023 in Yakima County was 116,064. The average annual wage was $49,831 which was 57.2% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (28,695 jobs)
• Government (18,379 jobs)
• Health care and social assistance (17,853 jobs)
• Retail trade (11,509 jobs)
• Manufacturing (8,103 jobs)

Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2023:

• Government ($1,180,814,436)
• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing ($1,133,917,517)
• Health services ($970,102,892)
• Manufacturing ($474,005,530)
• Retail trade ($443,806,142)

Workforce demographics in Yakima County

Yakima County’s 16 and older population was 189,087 in 2023. The labor force participation rate was 62.1%. The average unemployment rate was 7.2%.

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Yakima County.

Age

Race or Hispanic origin

Sex

Females with children

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Disability status

Educational attainment

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status 

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