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March 2026 highlights
Updated May 2026
Compared to February 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 6.2% to 5.8% (1,507 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 100 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 14,880 jobs).
Mason County's labor market highlights
- Mason County is small and mostly rural.
- The public sector is the largest source of employment, with state and local government collectively providing one third of the county's jobs.
- Other major industries include retail trade, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services and manufacturing.
Contact Mason County's labor economist
Emily Robertson, Southwest coastal region
- Email Emily: emily.robertson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Emily: 360-463-7813
Mason County is part of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Mason County is known as the Shelton MSA.
Employment updates for March 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The March 2026 unemployment rate was 5.8% in Mason County, 5.1% in Washington state and 4.3% in the United States.
| Measure | Mar. 2026 | Feb. 2026 | Mar. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 25,851 | 25,766 | 25,280 |
| Employed persons | 24,344 | 24,169 | 23,851 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,507 | 1,597 | 1,429 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 6.2% | 5.7% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Mason County unemployment rate, Jan. 2024 - Mar. 2026
Mason County's unemployment rate tends to be slightly higher than the statewide rate, though it has similar seasonal fluctuations.
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6.4% | 7.0% | 6.2% | 5.0% | 5.4% | 4.7% | 5.6% | 5.7% | 4.6% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.5% |
|
5.8% | 6.6% | 5.6% | 5.0% | 5.2% | 4.4% | 5.1% | 5.3% | 4.6% | 5.5% | 6.2% | |
|
6.0% | 6.2% | 5.8% |
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 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 March 2026, Mason County had 14,880 jobs.
One month ago, in Feb. 2026 there were 100 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 14,780 jobs).
- 60 more goods-producing jobs. Manufacturing was the primary driver of job gains.
- 30 more service-providing jobs. Job gains occurred in retail trade and in private education and health services. Job losses occurred in wholesale trade.
One year ago, in Mar. 2025 there were 330 (2.3%) fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 14,550 jobs).
- 50 (4.7%) more manufacturing jobs.
- 100 (6.7%) more leisure and hospitality jobs.
- 110 (1.9%) more government jobs. Employment in local government increased over the year, while employment in state government decreased.
Employment estimates for Mason 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 | Mar 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 14,880 | 14,780 | 14,550 | 100 | 330 | 2.3% |
| - Private | 8,920 | 8,870 | 8,710 | 50 | 210 | 2.4% |
| - Government | 5,950 | 5,910 | 5,840 | 40 | 110 | 1.9% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry sector | Mar 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 1,930 | 1,870 | 1,860 | 60 | 70 | 3.8% |
| - Mining and logging | 170 | 170 | 180 | 0 | -10 | -5.6% |
| - Construction | 650 | 670 | 620 | -20 | 30 | 4.8% |
| - Manufacturing | 1,110 | 1,030 | 1,060 | 80 | 50 | 4.7% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry sector | Mar 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 12,940 | 12,910 | 12,700 | 30 | 240 | 1.9% |
| - Wholesale trade | 310 | 350 | 310 | -40 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 1,600 | 1,550 | 1,580 | 50 | 20 | 1.3% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 270 | 280 | 270 | -10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 340 | 340 | 360 | 0 | -20 | -5.6% |
| - Professional and business services | 700 | 720 | 700 | -20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,510 | 1,470 | 1,480 | 40 | 30 | 2.0% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 1,600 | 1,600 | 1,500 | 0 | 100 | 6.7% |
| - Other services | 550 | 570 | 560 | -20 | -10 | -1.8% |
| - Government | 5,950 | 5,910 | 5,840 | 40 | 110 | 1.9% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2025, updated April 30, 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 14,840 total covered employees.
- Government - 5,817 jobs.
- Retail trade - 1,729 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 1,366 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 1,303 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 938 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $57,899 for covered employees.
- Professional, scientific and technical services - $90,325.
- Finance and insurance - $78,052.
- Information - $75,697.
- Government - $73,276.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - $61,845.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics for Mason County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 56,350 | 49.3% | 6.6% |
| 16 to 19 years | 2,984 | 35.0% | 20.4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 3,174 | 72.2% | 13.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,802 | 70.0% | 7.1% |
| 30 to 34 years | 4,325 | 67.4% | 5.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 8,249 | 71.9% | 7.1% |
| 45 to 54 years | 7,281 | 71.9% | 6.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 4,651 | 67.2% | 2.6% |
| 60 to 64 years | 5,416 | 47.5% | 2.1% |
| 65 to 74 years | 10,317 | 17.3% | 2.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 45,396 | 48.0% | 5.5% |
| Black or African American alone | 680 | 42.9% | 7.2% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,122 | 40.5% | 7.7% |
| Asian alone | 614 | 58.6% | 14.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 121 | 52.1% | 4.8% |
| Some other race alone | 3,053 | 61.4% | 13.1% |
| Two or more races | 5,364 | 55.1% | 9.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 5,431 | 61.1% | 8.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 44,366 | 48.0% | 5.6% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 36,898 | 67.0% | 6.3% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 19,621 | 70.5% | 5.9% |
| Female | 17,277 | 63.1% | 6.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 5,220 | 67.8% | 5.2% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 1,405 | 73.2% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 1,083 | 46.9% | 2.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 2,732 | 73.3% | 8.5% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 4,506 | 35.9% | 22.7% |
| At or above the poverty level | 31,156 | 74.2% | 5.2% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 6,099 | 35.9% | 6.9% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 33,724 | 66.5% | 5.6% |
| Less than high school graduate | 3,790 | 49.9% | 8.5% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 10,294 | 59.8% | 6.9% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 12,862 | 70.1% | 4.2% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 6,778 | 79.3% | 5.3% |
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.