County profiles
This profile gives details about Washington state's labor economy. You can learn about each of Washington's counties in their individual profiles.
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May 2026 state highlights
Updated June 2026
Compared to April 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.1% to 4.8% (197,004 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 31,900 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 3,655,000 jobs).
Washington's labor market highlights
- The last several years have been interesting. Washington lost 430,000 jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic recession but rebounded quickly, along with the nation.
- Total nonfarm employment reached pre-pandemic levels by summer 2022. Within that, some industries, such as information, recovered within months of the crisis. Others, such as manufacturing, remain below pre-pandemic employment levels five years later.
- The relatively quick jobs recovery led to an exceptionally tight labor market in 2021-2022 as employer demand surged and labor market participation only partially recovered. 2023 and 2024 marked a turning point.
- The high employment growth characterizing the Covid recovery slowed overall, and employment patterns began to shift. Some notable downward shifts occurred in the information sector that experienced some significant downsizing, and construction. Over the past several months, growth has effectively paused.
- A few industries such as health care continue to add jobs, but employment counts in most sectors in 2025 have hovered around or dropped slightly below the levels observed in 2024.
Contact Washington's chief labor economist
Anneliese Vance-Sherman
- Email Anneliese: anneliese.vance-sherman@esd.wa.gov
- Call Anneliese: 564-900-0748
Workforce development areas
Region and metropolitan areas
Washington is part of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ west region. It includes the following Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs):
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA
- Seattle-Bellevue MD (part of Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA)
- Tacoma-Lakewood MD (part of Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA)
- Everett MD (part of Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA)
- Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater MSA
- Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard MSA
- Mount Vernon-Anacortes MSA
- Portland (Ore.)-Vancouver (Wash.)-Hillsboro (Ore.) MSA
- Longview MSA
- Spokane-Spokane Valley MSA
- Kennewick-Richland MSA
- Walla Walla MSA
- Yakima MSA
- Bellingham MSA
- Wenatchee MSA
Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for more about information about Washington.
Employment updates for May 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The May 2026 unemployment rate was 4.8% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Measure | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 4,068,054 | 4,048,438 | 4,031,601 |
| Employed persons | 3,871,050 | 3,841,838 | 3,859,032 |
| Persons seeking work | 197,004 | 206,600 | 172,569 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.1% | 4.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Washington unemployment rate, January 2024 - May 2026
Washington's unemployment rate typically tracks well with the national rate. The unemployment rate has been in the 4% to 5% range since 2022. Over the past year, the unemployment rate has been increasing gradually, signaling an increasingly challenging market for job seekers.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.0% | 5.1% | 4.7% | 4.1% | 4.3% | 4.4% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.1% | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
|
4.7% | 5.0% | 4.6% | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.6% | 4.7% | 4.5% | 5.3% | 5.3% | |
|
5.8% | 5.7% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 4.8% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS). BLS canceled October 2025's unemployment publications.
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include agriculture jobs or jobs outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In May 2026, Washington state had 3,655,000 jobs.
Compared with April 2026, May employment increased by 31,900 jobs.
- 11,900 more leisure and hospitality jobs. Accommodation and food services added 9,300 jobs and arts, entertainment and recreation industries added 2,600 in May.
- 4,600 more construction jobs. Construction employers throughout the sector added jobs. Specialty trade contractors added the most new jobs (2,800).
- 2,500 more retail trade jobs. Retail sectors adding jobs included food and beverage retailers (up 900) and building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (up 600) as consumers prepared their outdoor spaces for summer.
- 200 fewer private education and health services jobs. One-month losses came from private educational services (down 700) and ambulatory or outpatient health services (down 600). Social assistance added 1,000 jobs.
- Both the private and public sectors added jobs in May. Seasonally sensitive industries found within leisure and hospitality, construction and seasonal retail saw the largest increases in May.
Compared with May 2025, this May’s employment was down by 7,700 (0.2%) jobs.
- 4,300 (1.6%) more manufacturing jobs. The largest increases in Washington's diverse manufacturing sector came from transportation equipment manufacturing (which includes aerospace) and food manufacturing. Each added 3,200 jobs over the year.
- 600 (0.1%) more professional and business services jobs. Gains were concentrated among employers in professional scientific, and technical services (up 2,600); Management of companies and enterprises and administrative and support and waste management and remediation services fell over the year (down 1,300 and 700 respectively).
- 3,900 (2.4%) fewer information jobs. Employment at software publishing businesses dropped by 3,600 over the year.
- 5,700 (1.7%) fewer retail trade jobs. Employment in every retail industry detailed in this report was down over the year. The deepest losses came from motor vehicle and parts dealers (down 2,500).
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Year over year employment levels have been hovering around 0% for several months, as job growth stalls.
Employment estimates for Washington
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 sector | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 | Apr. 2026 to May 2026 |
May 2025 to May 2026 |
Apr. 2026 to May 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 3,655,000 | 3,623,100 | 3,662,700 | 31,900 | -7,700 | -0.2% |
| - Private | 3,028,200 | 3,000,500 | 3,031,900 | 27,700 | -3,700 | -0.1% |
| - Government | 626,800 | 622,600 | 630,800 | 4,200 | -4,000 | -0.6% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry sector | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 | Apr. 2026 to May 2026 |
May 2025 to May 2026 |
Apr. 2026 to May 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 503,000 | 495,000 | 497,600 | 8,000 | 5,400 | 1.1% |
| - Mining and logging | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,100 | 0 | -100 | -2.0% |
| - Construction | 223,200 | 218,600 | 222,000 | 4,600 | 1,200 | 0.5% |
| - Manufacturing | 274,800 | 271,400 | 270,500 | 3,400 | 4,300 | 1.6% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry sector | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 | Apr. 2026 to May 2026 |
May 2025 to May 2026 |
Apr. 2026 to May 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 3,152,000 | 3,128,100 | 3,165,100 | 23,900 | -13,100 | -0.4% |
| - Wholesale trade | 130,100 | 130,700 | 133,000 | -600 | -2,900 | -2.2% |
| - Retail trade | 325,400 | 322,900 | 331,100 | 2,500 | -5,700 | -1.7% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 160,700 | 159,100 | 157,700 | 1,600 | 3,000 | 1.9% |
| - Information | 158,500 | 157,300 | 162,400 | 1,200 | -3,900 | -2.4% |
| - Financial activities | 160,200 | 158,800 | 162,700 | 1,400 | -2,500 | -1.5% |
| - Professional and business services | 543,600 | 541,800 | 543,000 | 1,800 | 600 | 0.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 569,200 | 569,400 | 568,300 | -200 | 900 | 0.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 353,800 | 341,900 | 351,000 | 11,900 | 2,800 | 0.8% |
| - Other services | 123,700 | 123,600 | 125,100 | 100 | -1,400 | -1.1% |
| - Government | 626,800 | 622,600 | 630,800 | 4,200 | -4,000 | -0.6% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2025, updated June 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 3,577,071 total covered employees.
- Government - 591,342 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 471,140 jobs.
- Retail trade - 328,496 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 283,539 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 271,063 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $92,467 for covered employees.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $276,463.
- Information - $275,718.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - 147,540.
- Utilities - $136,763.
- Finance and insurance - $134,545.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics for Washington state
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 6,336,814 | 64.5% | 5.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 370,387 | 39.4% | 16.8% |
| 20 to 24 years | 482,036 | 79.1% | 9.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 567,313 | 85.2% | 5.2% |
| 30 to 34 years | 620,865 | 83.8% | 4.8% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,120,410 | 83.6% | 4.3% |
| 45 to 54 years | 936,511 | 82.1% | 3.6% |
| 55 to 59 years | 453,094 | 74.8% | 4.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 487,013 | 58.8% | 3.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 788,312 | 24.9% | 3.8% |
Race and Hispanic or Latino origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 4,332,121 | 61.9% | 4.8% |
| Black or African American alone | 245,692 | 69.4% | 7.6% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 71,598 | 61.2% | 8.0% |
| Asian alone | 648,495 | 70.4% | 3.6% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 43,368 | 68.9% | 6.2% |
| Some other race alone | 331,672 | 72.1% | 5.6% |
| Two or more races | 663,868 | 70.2% | 6.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 772,805 | 72.6% | 6.2% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 4,196,124 | 61.5% | 4.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 4,667,242 | 79.6% | 4.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 2,389,162 | 84.6% | 4.8% |
| Female | 2,278,080 | 74.4% | 4.6% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 779,891 | 72.2% | 4.3% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 181,805 | 70.0% | 4.9% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 153,447 | 61.6% | 5.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 444,639 | 76.8% | 3.7% |
Poverty status over the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 433,360 | 44.8% | 22.9% |
| At or above the poverty level | 4,176,310 | 83.8% | 3.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 520,588 | 52.4% | 10.2% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 4,185,206 | 79.7% | 4.2% |
| Less than high school graduate | 327,710 | 65.6% | 7.2% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 886,041 | 73.5% | 5.6% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 1,266,575 | 78.0% | 4.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,704,880 | 86.8% | 3.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024: ACS 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.