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May 2026 highlights
Updated June 2026
Compared to April 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 6.3% to 5.8% (1,703 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 180 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 23,520 jobs).
Grays Harbor County's labor market highlights
- Grays Harbor County is a scenic, largely rural area, owing to its location on the Pacific Ocean. Historically, its major industries were in forestry and logging as well as seafood production. Though these industries continue to persist, employment has been flat or declining in recent years.
- The county's population skews older than statewide, contributing to lower labor force participation.
- Government is the largest source of employment in the county, followed by health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, manufacturing, and retail trade.
Contact Grays Harbor County's labor economist
Emily Robertson, Southwest coastal region
- Email Emily: emily.robertson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Emily: 360-463-7813
Grays Harbor County is part of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Grays Harbor County is known as the Aberdeen Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Employment updates for May 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The May 2026 unemployment rate was 5.8% in Grays Harbor, 4.8% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Measure | May 2026 | Apr. 2026 | May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 29,464 | 29,284 | 28,879 |
| Employed persons | 27,761 | 27,429 | 27,262 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,703 | 1,855 | 1,617 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Grays Harbor County unemployment rate, January 2024 - May 2026
Grays Harbor County tends to have one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, along with nearby Pacific and Wahkiakum counties. These coastal, largely rural areas have a large proportion of employment in seasonally volatile industries such as fishing and tourism.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7.5% | 7.5% | 6.8% | 5.5% | 5.7% | 4.8% | 5.9% | 6.0% | 5.0% | 5.6% | 6.1% | 6.5% |
|
6.5% | 7.2% | 6.3% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 4.8% | 5.5% | 5.6% | 4.9% | 6.2% | 6.9% | |
|
6.4% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 6.3% | 5.8% |
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, Grays Harbor had 23,520 jobs.
Compared with April 2026, May employment increased by 180 jobs.
- 70 fewer goods-producing jobs.
- 250 more service-providing jobs.
Compared with May 2025, this May’s employment was down by 30 (0.1%) jobs.
- 140 (4.2%) more private education and health services jobs.
- 190 (6.7%) fewer leisure and hospitality jobs.
- 90 (3.7%) fewer manufacturing jobs.
- 80 (11.1%) fewer other services jobs.
Employment estimates for Grays Harbor 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 | 23,520 | 23,340 | 23,550 | 180 | -30 | -0.1% |
| - Private | 16,360 | 16,300 | 16,490 | 60 | -130 | -0.8% |
| - Government | 7,160 | 7,040 | 7,060 | 120 | 100 | 1.4% |
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 | 3,990 | 4,060 | 4,030 | -70 | -40 | -1.0% |
| - Mining and logging | 180 | 190 | 170 | -10 | 10 | 5.9% |
| - Construction | 1,470 | 1,490 | 1,420 | -20 | 50 | 3.5% |
| - Manufacturing | 2,340 | 2,380 | 2,430 | -40 | -90 | -3.7% |
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 | 19,530 | 19,280 | 19,520 | 250 | 10 | 0.1% |
| - Wholesale trade | 490 | 490 | 440 | 0 | 50 | 11.4% |
| - Retail trade | 2,550 | 2,510 | 2,550 | 40 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 550 | 520 | 530 | 30 | 20 | 3.8% |
| - Information | 110 | 110 | 100 | 0 | 10 | 10.0% |
| - Financial activities | 740 | 740 | 800 | 0 | -60 | -7.5% |
| - Professional and business services | 1,190 | 1,170 | 1,170 | 20 | 20 | 1.7% |
| - Private education and health services | 3,470 | 3,460 | 3,330 | 10 | 140 | 4.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,630 | 2,600 | 2,820 | 30 | -190 | -6.7% |
| - Other services | 640 | 640 | 720 | 0 | -80 | -11.1% |
| - Government | 7,160 | 7,040 | 7,060 | 120 | 100 | 1.4% |
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 23,820 total covered employees.
- Government - 6,846 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 3,191 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services -2,644 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 2,586 jobs.
- Retail trade - 2,579 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $56,795 for covered employees.
- Transportation and warehousing - $93,597.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $78,490.
- Construction - $75,796.
- Information - $75,152.
- Finance and insurance - $73,333.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics for Grays Harbor County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 63,791 | 50.3% | 7.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,466 | 34.2% | 17.7% |
| 20 to 24 years | 3,683 | 78.1% | 6.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 4,232 | 74.4% | 4.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 4,780 | 75.0% | 10.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 9,373 | 66.9% | 7.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 8,931 | 68.1% | 7.8% |
| 55 to 59 years | 5,301 | 59.5% | 2.0% |
| 60 to 64 years | 6,045 | 48.8% | 6.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 11,347 | 20.6% | 3.9% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 51,726 | 48.6% | 7.3% |
| Black or African American alone | 997 | 24.3% | 7.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 2,535 | 46.7% | 5.4% |
| Asian alone | 954 | 63.9% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 310 | 54.5% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 2,328 | 66.3% | 2.6% |
| Two or more races | 4,941 | 65.2% | 8.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 5,519 | 67.3% | 6.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 50,524 | 48.3% | 7.4% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 42,345 | 66.3% | 6.9% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 22,451 | 65.5% | 7.2% |
| Female | 19,894 | 67.2% | 6.6% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 5,870 | 70.8% | 6.0% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 1,209 | 76.8% | 6.9% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 1,409 | 63.7% | 2.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 3,252 | 71.6% | 7.3% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 5,905 | 31.6% | 29.1% |
| At or above the poverty level | 34,308 | 76.3% | 5.3% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 7,777 | 39.0% | 16.4% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 38,662 | 65.1% | 7.0% |
| Less than high school graduate | 4,577 | 58.2% | 12.4% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 13,288 | 55.9% | 8.5% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 14,577 | 69.1% | 5.7% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 6,220 | 80.9% | 4.3% |
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.