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March 2026 highlights
Updated May 2026
Compared to February 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.9% to 5.3% (1,298 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 10 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 18,180 jobs).
Kittitas County's labor market highlights
- While known for agriculture, the county’s economy is diverse, with meaningful employment in manufacturing, construction, education and government.
- Agriculture still employs 6.3% of workers, maintaining the county’s rural heritage.
- Kittitas County maintains a diverse and resilient economy, anchored by government employment, largely driven by Central Washington University, which accounts for over one‑quarter of all jobs. Tourism related industries, including accommodation, food services and retail trade, continue to expand, reflecting the county’s strong outdoor recreation and visitor economy.
- In 2024, the county recorded 16,775 covered jobs with an average annual wage of $54,172 and total payroll nearing $909 million. High wage sectors such as finance, construction and government outperform the county average, signaling strong opportunities for skilled labor.
- Workforce participation stands at 61.4%, indicating moderate labor availability. Ongoing workforce development efforts emphasize skill growth in education, retail and construction, supporting both economic diversification and small‑business vitality.
Contact Kittitas County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Kittitas County is part of the South Central 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 5.3% in Kittitas County, 5.1% in Washington state and 4.3% in the United States.
| Measure | Mar. 2026 | Feb. 2026 | Mar. 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 24,541 | 24,303 | 24,186 |
| Employed persons | 23,243 | 22,867 | 23,040 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,298 | 1,436 | 1,146 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | 4.7% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Kittitas County unemployment rate, Jan. 2024 to March 2026
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.7% | 6.2% | 5.0% | 4.0% | 4.4% | 3.9% | 5.0% | 5.0% | 3.7% | 4.1% | 4.4% | 5.0% |
|
5.0% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 4.0% | 4.3% | 3.7% | 4.6% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 5.0% | 5.7% | |
|
5.6% | 5.9% | 5.3% |
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, Kittitas County had 18,180 jobs.
One month ago, in Feb. 2026 there were 10 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 18,190 jobs).
- 50 more private jobs.
- 2,020 goods-producing jobs, which is unchanged. Construction had 20 more jobs, while manufacturing had 20 fewer jobs.
- 10 fewer service-providing jobs. Contributors to decrease in March include retail trade (30), financial activities (20), professional and business ervices (20) and wholesale trade (10).
- 70 fewer government jobs.
- Leisure and hospitality had 110 more jobs. Private education and health services had 30 more jobs.
One year ago, in Mar. 2025 there were 80 (0.4%) more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 18,260 jobs).
- 380 (3.3%) more private jobs.
- 80 (4.1%) more goods-producing jobs. Construction had 80 (6.0%) more jobs, while manufacturing had 10 (1.7%) fewer jobs.
- 160 (1.0%) fewer service-providing jobs. Government was the largest contributor to the losses in service industry with 470 fewer jobs.
- 470 (7.1%) fewer government jobs.
- Leisure and hospitality had 260 (7.2%) more jobs, professional and business services had 60 (7.5%) more jobs, and retail trade had 30 (1.6%) more jobs.
Employment estimates for Kittitas 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 | 18,180 | 18,190 | 18,260 | -10 | -80 | -0.4% |
| - Private | 12,040 | 11,990 | 11,660 | 50 | 380 | 3.3% |
| - Government | 6,130 | 6,200 | 6,600 | -70 | -470 | -7.1% |
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 | 2,020 | 2,020 | 1,940 | 0 | 80 | 4.1% |
| - Mining and logging | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 1,420 | 1,400 | 1,340 | 20 | 80 | 6.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 570 | 590 | 580 | -20 | -10 | -1.7% |
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 | 16,160 | 16,170 | 16,320 | -10 | -160 | -1.0% |
| - Wholesale trade | 540 | 550 | 530 | -10 | 10 | 1.9% |
| - Retail trade | 1,870 | 1,900 | 1,840 | -30 | 30 | 1.6% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 290 | 290 | 280 | 0 | 10 | 3.6% |
| - Information | 140 | 140 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 340 | 360 | 340 | -20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 860 | 880 | 800 | -20 | 60 | 7.5% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,680 | 1,650 | 1,760 | 30 | -80 | -4.5% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 3,850 | 3,740 | 3,590 | 110 | 260 | 7.2% |
| - Other services | 460 | 470 | 440 | -10 | 20 | 4.5% |
| - Government | 6,130 | 6,200 | 6,600 | -70 | -470 | -7.1% |
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 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 16,775 total covered employees.
- Government - 4,656 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 2,541 jobs.
- Retail trade - 1,831 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 1,414 jobs.
- Construction - 1,378 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $54,172 for covered employees.
- Finance and insurance - $75,298.
- Construction - $73,235.
- Government - $72,167.
- Wholesale trade - $71,658.
- Information - $71,326.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics in Kittitas County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 40,168 | 61.4% | 6.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,523 | 47.3% | 27.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6,788 | 75.5% | 10.4% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,006 | 88.4% | 8.3% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,789 | 85.6% | 2.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 4,979 | 81.2% | 1.7% |
| 45 to 54 years | 5,059 | 82.1% | 0.7% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,503 | 67.6% | 3.3% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,481 | 46.9% | 4.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 4,958 | 26.2% | 4.9% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 33,598 | 60.0% | 5.5% |
| Black or African American alone | 528 | 70.8% | 12.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 186 | 53.8% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 691 | 64.7% | 1.3% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 25 | 92.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 1,834 | 69.2% | 6.5% |
| Two or more races | 3,306 | 69.7% | 13.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 3,676 | 69.5% | 6.3% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 32,561 | 60.1% | 5.5% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 28,605 | 75.8% | 4.8% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 14,508 | 80.0% | 5.3% |
| Female | 14,097 | 71.5% | 4.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 4,028 | 70.6% | 4.5% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 925 | 74.9% | 18.5% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 521 | 59.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 2,582 | 71.3% | 0.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 4,272 | 45.6% | 15.8% |
| At or above the poverty level | 23,813 | 81.9% | 3.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic |
Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,846 | 46.0% | 8.8% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 21,817 | 75.9% | 3.1% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,684 | 52.6% | 6.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 5,423 | 72.4% | 3.3% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,281 | 72.2% | 1.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8,429 | 85.6% | 3.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024: 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.