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March 2026 highlights
Updated May 2026
Compared to February 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 4.7% to 4.5% (355 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 50 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 5,840 jobs).
San Juan County's labor market highlights
- San Juan County is located in northwest Washington state. It consists of four large islands: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw; and hundreds of small islands, reefs and rocks. About 20 islands are inhabited.
- San Juan County is the smallest county in Washington by total landmass. San Juan County is located in the Salish Sea to the west of Skagit and Whatcom Counties and east of lower Vancouver Island, Canada.
- The islands are spectacularly scenic and a popular destination for tourists and retirees. People arrive via ferry, private boat and float plane throughout the year with a pronounced uptick in the summer. Tourism-related industries and retirement communities form the base of the San Juan County economy.
- While the natural beauty and relative isolation of island life supports a vibrant seasonal tourism-based economy, the relative isolation presents a challenge for economic diversification.
Contact San Juan County's labor economist
Toby Paterson, North sound region
- Email Toby: toby.paterson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Toby: 360-742-2491
San Juan County is part of the Northwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Employment updates for March 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The March 2026 unemployment rate was 4.5% in San Juan County, 5.1% in Washington state and 4.3% in the United States.
| Measure | Mar. 2026 | Feb. 2026 | Mar. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 7,972 | 7,910 | 7,620 |
| Employed persons | 7,617 | 7,535 | 7,282 |
| Persons seeking work | 355 | 375 | 338 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
San Juan County's unemployment rate, Jan. 2024 - Mar. 2026
The unemployment rate changes throughout the year, rising and falling based on the size or the labor force and the number of unemployed people.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.0% | 5.3% | 4.7% | 3.7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.0% | 3.9% | 4.1% | 4.2% |
|
4.9% | 5.5% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 2.6% | 3.0% | 3.1% | 3.0% | 4.5% | 4.7% | |
|
4.6% | 4.7% | 4.5% |
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, San Juan County has 5,840 jobs.
One month ago, in Feb. 2026 there were 50 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 5,790 jobs).
- 40 fewer construction jobs.
- 40 more retail trade jobs.
- 30 fewer private education and health services jobs.
- 80 more leisure and hospitality jobs.
One year ago, in Mar. 2025 there were 230 (4.1%) fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 5,610 jobs).
- 30 (4.3%) more construction jobs.
- 60 (8.6%) more retail trade jobs.
- 30 (6.0%) fewer private education and health services jobs.
- 50 (5.7%) more leisure and hospitality jobs.
Employment estimates for San Juan 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 | 5,840 | 5,790 | 5,610 | 50 | 230 | 4.1% |
| - Private | 4,750 | 4,710 | 4,540 | 40 | 210 | 4.6% |
| - Government | 1,090 | 1,080 | 1,070 | 10 | 20 | 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 | 1,000 | 1,030 | 940 | -30 | 60 | 6.4% |
| - Mining and logging | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 730 | 770 | 700 | -40 | 30 | 4.3% |
| - Manufacturing | 260 | 250 | 240 | 10 | 20 | 8.3% |
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 | 4,850 | 4,770 | 4,670 | 80 | 180 | 3.9% |
| - Wholesale trade | 60 | 50 | 50 | 10 | 10 | 20.0% |
| - Retail trade | 760 | 720 | 700 | 40 | 60 | 8.6% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 210 | 200 | 200 | 10 | 10 | 5.0% |
| - Information | 110 | 120 | 110 | -10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 320 | 320 | 300 | 0 | 20 | 6.7% |
| - Professional and business services | 670 | 690 | 640 | -20 | 30 | 4.7% |
| - Private education and health services | 470 | 500 | 500 | -30 | -30 | -6.0% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 930 | 850 | 880 | 80 | 50 | 5.7% |
| - Other services | 220 | 240 | 220 | -20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 1,090 | 1,080 | 1,070 | 10 | 20 | 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 6,097 total covered employees.
- Government - 1,048 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 984 jobs.
- Retail trade - 764 jobs.
- Construction - 736 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 366 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $53,170 for covered employees.
- Utilities - $124,262.
- Information - $100,730.
- Professional, scientific and technical services - $84,589.
- Finance and insurance - $66,845.
- Wholesale trade - $65,759.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in San Juan County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 16,467 | 52.8% | 3.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 562 | 29.5% | 12.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 565 | 80.2% | 12.4% |
| 25 to 29 years | 674 | 90.9% | 3.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 858 | 89.9% | 1.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,994 | 77.6% | 5.5% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,133 | 86.5% | 3.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,262 | 73.6% | 1.5% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,763 | 56.7% | 2.2% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,960 | 27.3% | 1.2% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 14,595 | 51.4% | 3.6% |
| Black or African American alone | 34 | 52.9% | 22.2% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 96 | 65.6% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 211 | 46.0% | 6.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 40 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 498 | 70.5% | 5.7% |
| Two or more races | 993 | 62.4% | 3.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,053 | 67.4% | 5.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 14,358 | 51.2% | 3.5% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 9,249 | 77.4% | 3.9% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4,553 | 82.3% | 4.3% |
| Female | 4,696 | 72.7% | 3.4% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 1,254 | 71.6% | 2.1% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 324 | 76.5% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 176 | 69.3% | 9.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 754 | 70.0% | 1.3% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,158 | 50.3% | 10.8% |
| At or above the poverty level | 8,077 | 81.3% | 3.2% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 814 | 58.8% | 12.3% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 8,684 | 77.2% | 3.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 504 | 81.2% | 2.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 1,661 | 75.5% | 3.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,318 | 76.7% | 5.1% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,201 | 77.7% | 2.4% |
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.