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May 2026 highlights
Updated June 2026
Compared to April 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 3.4% to 3.1% (310 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 60 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 7,310 jobs).
Asotin County's labor market highlights
- Unemployment fell from 3.7% in 2021 to 3.3% as of September 2025, with steady gains in resident employment over the past four years. Covered employment grew 0.4% from 2021–2022 and an additional 3.8% from 2022–2024.
- Service‑providing industries made up 84.2% of all jobs in 2024, continuing to dominate the local economy.
- Retail trade added 161 jobs over three years—a 15.5% increase—driven largely by food and beverage stores, which added 113 jobs. Health care and social assistance grew consistently, adding 53 jobs and averaging 3.4% annual growth.
- Goods‑producing industries accounted for 15.8% of employment, maintaining a smaller but stable share of the labor market.
- Overall, the county’s labor market showed resilience and adaptability, reflecting strong local industry performance
Contact Asotin County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Asotin County is part of the Eastern Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Asotin County is part of the Lewiston-Clarkston Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Employment updates for May 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The May 2026 unemployment rate was 3.1% in Asotin County, 4.8% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Measure | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 9,946 | 9,838 | 9,778 |
| Employed persons | 9,636 | 9,504 | 9,477 |
| Persons seeking work | 310 | 334 | 301 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1% | 3.4% | 3.1% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Asotin County unemployment rate, January 2024 - May 2026
Asotin County’s unemployment rate reflects a small, mixed economy with agriculture, food processing and boat manufacturing. It shows modest seasonal peaks. With a limited labor base and cross‑border commuting, the rate over time is volatile. The best way to understand unemployment in the county is using seasonally adjusted or multi‑month averages.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.3% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 3.0% | 3.4% | 3.0% | 3.9% | 3.6% | 2.8% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 3.4% |
|
3.8% | 4.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.0% | 3.5% | 3.9% | |
|
3.5% | 3.8% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 3.1% |
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, Asotin County had 7,310 jobs.
Compared with April 2026, May employment increased by 60 jobs.
- 20 fewer goods-producing jobs.
- 80 more service-providing jobs.
- 50 more private jobs.
- 20 more government jobs.
- Professional and business services had 50 more jobs, retail trade had 20 more jobs, and private education and health services had 10 more jobs, while construction and leisure and hospitality had 10 fewer jobs each.
Compared with May 2025, this May’s employment was up by 90 (1.2%) jobs.
- 20 (2.2%) fewer goods-producing jobs.
- 110 (1.7%) more service-providing jobs.
- 20 (0.3%) more private jobs.
- 70 (5.3%) more government jobs.
- Private education and health services had 80 (4.3%) more jobs, while leisure and hospitality (-40), retail trade (-30), manufacturing (-20) and construction (-10) lost jobs over the year.
Employment estimates for Asotin County
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 | 7,310 | 7,250 | 7,220 | 60 | 90 | 1.2% |
| - Private | 5,930 | 5,880 | 5,910 | 50 | 20 | 0.3% |
| - Government | 1,380 | 1,360 | 1,310 | 20 | 70 | 5.3% |
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 | 900 | 920 | 920 | -20 | -20 | -2.2% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 480 | 490 | 490 | -10 | -10 | -2.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 420 | 420 | 440 | 0 | -20 | -4.5% |
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 | 6,410 | 6,330 | 6,300 | 80 | 110 | 1.7% |
| - Wholesale trade | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 1,090 | 1,070 | 1,120 | 20 | -30 | -2.7% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 250 | 250 | 250 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 480 | 430 | 480 | 50 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,960 | 1,950 | 1,880 | 10 | 80 | 4.3% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 830 | 840 | 870 | -10 | -40 | -4.6% |
| - Other services | 190 | 190 | 170 | 0 | 20 | 11.8% |
| - Government | 1,380 | 1,360 | 1,310 | 20 | 70 | 5.3% |
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 in 2024
This profile section uses Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) 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 6,817 total covered employees.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 1,496 jobs.
- Government - 1,254 jobs.
- Retail Trade - 1,088 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 751 jobs.
- Construction - 506 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $54,511 for covered employees.
- Wholesale trade – $109,979.
- Information - $96,759.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $84,782.
- Finance and insurance - $84,295.
- Construction - $75,361.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Asotin County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 18,631 | 54.7% | 5.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 1,046 | 44.2% | 13.4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 1,093 | 91.1% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 1,227 | 79.8% | 4.1% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,265 | 70.0% | 3.3% |
| 35 to 44 years | 2,506 | 78.1% | 3.8% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,590 | 82.4% | 7.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,425 | 74.0% | 0.4% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,818 | 51.9% | 8.6% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,170 | 21.3% | 0.0% |
Race and Hispanic or Latino origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 16,709 | 53.6% | 5.5% |
| Black or African American alone | 145 | 75.9% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 200 | 51.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 166 | 81.3% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 0 | - | - |
| Some other race alone | 329 | 60.5% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 1,082 | 64.8% | 2.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 700 | 70.4% | 7.9% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 16,482 | 53.3% | 5.2% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 11,924 | 75.0% | 5.0% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5,787 | 76.9% | 5.3% |
| Female | 6,137 | 73.3% | 4.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 1,737 | 79.3% | 8.3% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 307 | 77.9% | 5.4% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 313 | 70.0% | 4.6% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 1,117 | 82.4% | 9.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,655 | 44.7% | 26.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 10,219 | 80.3% | 3.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 2,107 | 37.3% | 12.6% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 10,831 | 73.4% | 4.8% |
| Less than high school graduate | 734 | 46.0% | 3.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 3,633 | 65.0% | 6.2% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 3,912 | 78.6% | 4.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2,552 | 85.3% | 3.3% |
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.