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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March 2026 state highlights
Updated May 2026
Compared to February 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.7% to 5.1% (206,836 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 13,200 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 3,621,500 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 March 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The March 2026 unemployment rate was 5.1% in Washington state and 4.3% in the United States.
| Measure | Mar. 2026 | Feb. 2026 | Mar. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 4,056,440 | 4,072,380 | 4,053,039 |
| Employed persons | 3,849,604 | 3,840,491 | 3,865,270 |
| Persons seeking work | 206,836 | 231,889 | 187,769 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | 4.6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Washington unemployment rate, Jan. 2024 - Mar. 2026
Washington's unemployment rate typically tracks well with the national rate. The unemployment rate has steadily been in the 4-to-5% range since 2022. Historically speaking, this is considered to be low, indicating a labor market that is less challenging for job seekers and more challenging for employers.
| 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% |
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 March 2026, Washington state had 3,621,500 jobs.
One month ago, in Feb. 2026 there were 13,200 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 3,608,300 jobs).
- 5,000 more construction jobs. Construction gains were gained throughout the sector, with the largest gains observed within specialty trades.
- 3,800 more leisure and hospitality jobs. Leisure and hospitality had the second largest gains this month. The largest increases were attributable to hiring in accommodation and food services.
- 600 fewer financial activities jobs. Job losses were widespread throughout finance and insurance and real estate, rental and leasing industries.
- 400 fewer information jobs. Three hundred jobs were dropped from software publishing in March.
- As days grow longer and the weather warms, so does the statewide labor market. Not seasonally adjusted increases in highly seasonal industries such as construction and leisure and hospitality reflect the season.
One year ago, in Mar. 2025 there were 13,500 (0.4%) fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 3,608,000 jobs).
- 21,500 (0.7%) more private jobs. Economic gains over the year were attributable to private sector employers in goods and services sectors.
- 10,000 (1.8%) more private education and health services jobs. Employment in private educational services declined over the year. The largest increases in health and social services were observed in ambulatory health services and social assistance.
- 7,700 (1.4%) more professional and business services jobs. Employment gains were observed throughout this diverse sector including professional, scientific and technical industries, management of businesses and enterprises, and administrative, support and waste management industries.
- 8,000 (1.3%) fewer government jobs. The deepest annual losses came from the public sector. Losses were especially pronounced in federal institutions.
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 | Mar 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 |
Mar 2025 to Mar 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 3,621,500 | 3,608,300 | 3,608,000 | 13,200 | 13,500 | 0.4% |
| - Private | 3,003,800 | 2,991,100 | 2,982,300 | 12,700 | 21,500 | 0.7% |
| - Government | 617,700 | 617,200 | 625,700 | 500 | -8,000 | -1.3% |
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 | 490,700 | 485,000 | 490,200 | 5,700 | 500 | 0.1% |
| - Mining and logging | 5,100 | 5,000 | 4,900 | 100 | 200 | 4.1% |
| - Construction | 215,200 | 210,200 | 214,600 | 5,000 | 600 | 0.3% |
| - Manufacturing | 270,400 | 269,800 | 270,700 | 600 | -300 | -0.1% |
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 | 3,130,800 | 3,123,300 | 3,117,800 | 7,500 | 13,000 | 0.4% |
| - Wholesale trade | 132,900 | 131,600 | 132,600 | 1,300 | 300 | 0.2% |
| - Retail trade | 323,000 | 322,100 | 327,400 | 900 | -4,400 | -1.3% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 162,000 | 162,200 | 154,900 | -200 | 7,100 | 4.6% |
| - Information | 163,700 | 164,100 | 162,700 | -400 | 1,000 | 0.6% |
| - Financial activities | 157,800 | 158,400 | 161,300 | -600 | -3,500 | -2.2% |
| - Professional and business services | 541,100 | 539,800 | 533,400 | 1,300 | 7,700 | 1.4% |
| - Private education and health services | 572,700 | 571,700 | 562,700 | 1,000 | 10,000 | 1.8% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 337,900 | 334,100 | 334,700 | 3,800 | 3,200 | 1.0% |
| - Other services | 122,000 | 122,100 | 122,400 | -100 | -400 | -0.3% |
| - Government | 617,700 | 617,200 | 625,700 | 500 | -8,000 | -1.3% |
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 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.