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May 2026 highlights
Updated June 2026
Compared to April 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.1% to 4.8% (12,361 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 2,800 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 186,900 jobs).
Clark County's labor market highlights
- Historically a bedroom community of neighboring Portland, Oregon, Clark County has developed into a major center of population and employment in Southwest Washington.
- Over the last decade, rapid employment growth in health care and social assistance, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality fueled a corresponding expansion to the construction industry. That construction boom slowed significantly in 2025.
- Advanced manufacturing is a local strength. Two thirds of Washington's jobs in semiconductor and related device manufacturing are located in Clark County.
Contact Clark County's labor economist
Emily Robertson, Southwest coastal region
- Email Emily: emily.robertson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Emily: 360-463-7813
Clark County is part of the Southwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Clark County is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Employment updates for May 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The May 2026 unemployment rate was 4.8% in Clark County, 4.8% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Measure | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 255,559 | 254,171 | 255,941 |
| Employed persons | 243,198 | 241,269 | 244,918 |
| Persons seeking work | 12,361 | 12,902 | 11,023 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.1% | 4.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS).
Clark County unemployment rate, January 2024 - May 2026
Clark County's unemployment rate tends to track closely to the statewide rate, though it has slightly higher seasonal fluctuations.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.7% | 5.2% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 4.2% | 3.7% | 4.8% | 4.7% | 3.7% | 4.0% | 4.2% | 4.4% |
|
4.6% | 5.1% | 4.4% | 4.1% | 4.3% | 3.7% | 4.6% | 4.8% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 5.2% | |
|
5.0% | 5.3% | 5.0% | 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, Clark County had 186,900 jobs.
Compared with April 2026, May employment increased by 2,800 jobs.
- 1,400 more leisure and hospitality jobs.
- 600 more construction jobs.
- 200 more private education and health services jobs.
- 300 fewer other services jobs.
Compared with May 2025, this May’s employment was down by 1,100 (0.6%) jobs.
- 1,400 (7.8%) fewer construction jobs.
- 500 (2.8%) fewer leisure and hospitality jobs.
- 400 (3.8%) fewer financial activities jobs.
- 400 (1.2%) more private education and health services jobs.
Employment estimates for Clark 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 | 186,900 | 184,100 | 188,000 | 2,800 | -1,100 | -0.6% |
| - Private | 157,700 | 155,500 | 159,500 | 2,200 | -1,800 | -1.1% |
| - Government | 29,100 | 28,600 | 28,500 | 500 | 600 | 2.1% |
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 | 30,500 | 29,900 | 32,000 | 600 | -1,500 | -4.7% |
| - Mining and logging | 200 | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 16,500 | 15,900 | 17,900 | 600 | -1,400 | -7.8% |
| - Manufacturing | 13,800 | 13,800 | 14,000 | 0 | -200 | -1.4% |
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 | 156,400 | 154,200 | 156,000 | 2,200 | 400 | 0.3% |
| - Wholesale trade | 6,800 | 6,800 | 6,900 | 0 | -100 | -1.4% |
| - Retail trade | 18,400 | 18,300 | 18,400 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 4,400 | 4,300 | 4,500 | 100 | -100 | -2.2% |
| - Information | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,400 | 0 | -400 | -3.8% |
| - Professional and business services | 24,900 | 24,800 | 24,700 | 100 | 200 | 0.8% |
| - Private education and health services | 35,100 | 34,900 | 34,700 | 200 | 400 | 1.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 17,600 | 16,200 | 18,100 | 1,400 | -500 | -2.8% |
| - Other services | 6,600 | 6,900 | 6,300 | -300 | 300 | 4.8% |
| - Government | 29,100 | 28,600 | 28,500 | 500 | 600 | 2.1% |
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 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 180,400 total covered employees.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 29,598 jobs.
- Government - 26,976 jobs.
- Retail trade - 18,718 jobs.
- Construction - 17,483 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 15,192 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $70,111 for covered employees.
- Information - $117,848.
- Finance and insurance - $116,508.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $110,237.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $105,531.
- Wholesale trade - $94,624.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics for Clark County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 413,515 | 64.2% | 5.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 25,093 | 36.0% | 16.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 30,147 | 81.9% | 7.9% |
| 25 to 29 years | 34,309 | 83.3% | 5.3% |
| 30 to 34 years | 36,932 | 83.8% | 6.6% |
| 35 to 44 years | 71,147 | 83.1% | 4.5% |
| 45 to 54 years | 65,917 | 82.6% | 3.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 31,188 | 77.8% | 5.3% |
| 60 to 64 years | 32,706 | 60.4% | 3.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 52,944 | 24.2% | 3.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 320,881 | 62.6% | 5.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 8,707 | 70.6% | 3.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 3,078 | 63.6% | 4.8% |
| Asian alone | 22,124 | 67.8% | 3.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 3,211 | 70.0% | 4.5% |
| Some other race alone | 16,532 | 73.5% | 3.4% |
| Two or more races | 38,982 | 69.9% | 7.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 42,654 | 72.2% | 6.3% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 311,841 | 62.5% | 5.3% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 302,346 | 80.0% | 5.0% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 151,797 | 86.2% | 5.0% |
| Female | 150,549 | 73.7% | 5.0% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 53,585 | 70.2% | 5.8% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 11,803 | 65.3% | 6.2% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 10,953 | 57.4% | 15.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 30,829 | 76.6% | 2.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 22,882 | 47.0% | 23.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 278,325 | 83.0% | 4.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 34,239 | 53.0% | 10.9% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 272,199 | 79.8% | 4.6% |
| Less than high school graduate | 21,312 | 66.0% | 9.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 66,372 | 75.6% | 5.1% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 92,974 | 79.2% | 5.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 91,541 | 86.6% | 2.7% |
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.